Lions Test star Richard Hibbard has delivered a stark verdict on the state of Welsh rugby as he outlines the changes that need to be made.
The 38-times capped hooker believes there needs to be investment in the game beneath the Wales team and that lessons can be learned from England. Hibbard is very familiar with the set-up across the Bridge, having spent four years with Gloucester before rounding off his career at the Dragons - two teams that meet in Euro action at Rodney Parade on Saturday evening. You can catch up on the latest news from the Gwent region here.
“We were so lucky with our success at the top level for the past decade,” he told S4C, who are showing the Challenge Cup tie.
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“That Wales team has been phenomenal and Warren Gatland was phenomenal. But while that top level was doing well, the rest was just forgotten about. Now that Wales are not doing well, a torch has been shone on what’s underneath and it’s not a pretty sight. Something needs to change. We need to invest in the game beneath the national team so that structures like the Welsh Premiership have a proper role and purpose.
“The English Championship is a very strong, competitive league. It means that lots of players who come into the top tier are already used to tough, high-quality, intense rugby. Why can’t we have that with the Welsh Premiership? We can’t just have the academies as the only route because that just narrows down the options.
“My big concern is that Covid has hit the numbers playing rugby at the grassroots and once kids start kicking a ball about instead of throwing a rugby ball around, it is going to be hard to get those kids back. We need strong local clubs that feed into a strong Welsh Premiership.”
Hibbard, who had a ten-year spell at the Ospreys and won the Six Nations with Wales, retired from playing in January on fitness grounds and will undergo a major operation on his shoulder next week. He is in enforced Covid quarantine as he prepares for that surgery, so he can’t be at Rodney Parade for the meeting between his two most recent teams. But he will be keeping a close eye on the game on TV and believes the Dragons are capable of pulling off a shock win.
“They are always capable of getting a win when no-one expects it,” said the 38-year-old. “I was involved at Gloucester when they beat us in this competition back in 2016. They can raise their game at home. But it’s been a really frustrating season. The boys are trying so hard and maybe that’s adding to the pressure. They are not a million miles away but the players in that squad are better than what their results are showing at the moment.”
The 2013 Lions tourist added: “One thing the Dragons cannot afford to give them is penalty chances in the mid-third. Otherwise, they will just kick to the corner and they have one of the best strike rates from a driving maul in the Premiership. That will be a tough task if they give away a lot of penalties.
“Like the Dragons, Gloucester went through a transitional period and it’s worked out well. They have no superstars, just a good team of hard-working players who all play for each other. They have slipped with the last two results and losing at home to Wasps must have been a tough one to take.
“But they will feel confident going to Rodney Parade, especially with a very solid set piece. I’m gutted I can’t be there. It would have been a great night to catch up with mates on both sides.”
* You can watch Dragons v Gloucester on S4C from 7.45pm on Saturday night, with English commentary available.
