Lack of investment in grassroots is being felt at Test level
Wales’ Eddie James reacts to Scotland’s late winning try. Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty
If you don’t water the vine then it’s going to wither. Not long after last year’s Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff, I met one of the Welsh starting players at an event. He told me that the match fee had reduced quite significantly since they dropped out of the top 10 in the world rankings.
After tax, and having bought eight tickets for family, he was left with £420. “Would you tackle Bundee Aki for £420?” he asked rhetorically. On reflection, I don’t think I would be able to tackle Aki regardless of the fee, but I think it paints a picture as to why a proud nation like Wales will arrive in the Aviva Stadium on Friday night with very little optimism or expectation that they will win.