SRC ready to ‘underpin’ radical plan for Welsh rugby

While there are doubts and fears about the decision to cut a professional club, the SRC is confident that it can help produce more talent for the elite level.

“Anything that brings additional investment is a massive positive,” said Jonathan Jones, chair of Ebbw Vale and also a representative for the SRC clubs, on Radio Wales Sport.

“As a group of clubs we met with (WRU director of rugby and elite performance) Dave Reddin and he did a presentation. There were a lot of positives around that and the mood of the room was that there needed to be change.

“We understand our part in how we can underpin the top level and that’s one of the key reasons we exist.

“It’s not a development league, it’s a competitive league and people develop through competition.

“There is a really good mix of players around the league with the old heads, ex-pros who have dropped down and some really good up-and-coming youngsters.

“The opportunity for extra investment only has to be a positive, particularly around infrastructure and facilities to make it 21st century.”

Ebbw Vale are current holders of the SRC Challenger Shield – they enjoyed another successful defence when beating Swansea 28-0 at Eugene Cross Park on Saturday – and are top of the table after being runners-up to Newport last season.

The Steelmen have a smattering of Dragons academy prospects but also pride themselves on spotting local talent with the ability to step up to SRC, and potentially higher.

“You look at the professional game at the moment and for me the most important part is what is going on underneath that, which is the community game and the pathway,” said head coach Jason Strange.

“Everything needs to be joined up and aligned, and I think the Union are going to drive that forward and that would be a real positive.”