Thorburn: Irish model may hold key to Welsh future

FORMER Wales skipper Paul Thorburn believes the Welsh game should move closer towards an Irish model.

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Thorburn says he understands the concerns from the Ospreys and Scarlets around the WRU's ownership of Cardiff, but says the time has come for the Welsh game to move towards a set-up of union control.

Both the Ospreys and Scarlets made the decision not to sign up to Welsh rugby's new Professional Rugby Agreement earlier this month.

In response, the union announced it was to move away from the approach of four evenly-funded professional sides, which could in turn see the number of professional sides in Wales reduced from four to three.

The two West Wales clubs had already expressed concerns around the union's takeover of Cardiff Rugby, and had sought assurances that it “will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, former Neath full-back Thorburn said he could see where the two clubs were coming from, but also said the financial management of some regions hadn't been up to scratch in recent years.

“I understand that,” he said.

“But I'm also aware that some of our regions have been less than sensible when it comes to good financial management.