We have to do what's right for all levels of rugby

IT WAS great to see Parc y Scarlets nearly packed out with around 9,000 there, not far off capacity.

- Nigel Owens

If you could get a crowd like that week in, week out across the regions then Welsh rugby would be in a pretty decent place.

We've got to remember that even back in the heyday of Welsh rugby, these were still pretty small towns we were talking about, apart from Cardiff itself. Even Pontypridd. When they were in their heyday, I think Sardis Road still only held about 6,000.

People now often compare crowds with what's seen in the English Premiership, but you only have to look at the areas those teams cover. Leicester and Northampton, Harlequins on the outskirts of London. Bath is also a big town. These clubs don’t just cover those towns and cities, but also the areas themselves. Whereas here in Wales, at all levels of the game, there will always be a big rival club down the road.

But something still has to change. You won't talk to anybody in Welsh rugby who doesn’t believe there needs to be a change. That is across the board, no matter who they are. The big issue is what that change looks like, and it has to be what's best for all levels of Welsh rugby.

I personally didn’t think cutting down to two regions was the answer. As I’ve said in previous columns, Welsh people support an identity. They feel part of an identity. They feel part of Welsh rugby supporting Wales. They feel part of the Scarlets because they're from Llanelli or the surrounding area. They go and watch the local clubs, whether that be in Fishguard or Pontyberem or Dolgellau, or wherever that may be.

They go because they feel that affiliation.