Byline: Jack of the North
Do we need this?
As if the defeat by Ireland wasn’t difficult enough to stomach the presentation was even worse. While the Irish were represented by their charming president, Mary MacAleese, who did we have ‘representing’ us? – William Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, now Royal Vice Patron of the WRU. His granny being the Patron. (You must have seen her at the games with the Trimsaran boys, downing the Felinfoel.)
The WRU has even named a cup named after him. Competed for every autumn by us and the South Africans. Odd, to say the least. Because, traditionally, the majority of the players in the Springbok team have been Afrikaners, who fought a couple of wars against the English, and lost thousands of their women and children in the concentration camps that some chinless wonder thought was such a spiffing idea. An increasing number of Springbok players are black – so what did the Brit empire ever do for them? Then there’s us Welsh – we all know that Wilhelm and his loutish, carrot-topped half-brother support England! Is the WRU having a laugh?
Probably not. For the truth is that the Welsh Rugby Union has been run by a self-perpetuating and self-serving claque of sycophants ever since its formation in 1881. For proof you need look no further than the badge the founders chose to adorn the shirts of our team. While the Irish have the shamrock, the Scots the thistle, the English the rose – all national emblems – our boys sport ostrich feathers and an inscription in German! A bird that is not native to Wales and a language that has never been spoken here. Very fitting. So maybe those bewhiskered rugger-buggers were having a laugh. No. They genuinely thought that the emblem of the ‘Prince of Wales’ was perfect for the team representing the Welsh nation.
(Historical note: the ‘Prince of Wales’ in 1881 was Edward the Lecher. His mother, Victoria, wrote of him, to his sister, “I never can, or shall, look at him without a shudder”. She actually blamed him for the death of his father, her beloved Albert.)
Clearly, it’s time for change. The WRU must adopt a symbol that represents Wales, not some alien monarchy. As for patrons, they can choose from within the nation, from the ranks of our people who have achieved fame and honour. As for Willi and his cup, why not re-name it the Rorke’s Drift Cup? There’s a genuine Welsh-South African connection. Or why have any cup at all; for it’s only awarded for an autumn, warm-up friendly and in a few years time these fixtures may be dropped? If there has to be a presentation after a game then why can’t it be made by our First Minister, someone elected by Welsh people. (And someone who might even know the names of the Welsh players.)
For so many reasons the Welsh Rugby Union is an embarrassment to the nation. This is not 1881; we no longer defer unquestioningly to the extended family based on Buck House – we know too much about them. Roger Lewis, Dai Pickering and the rest must be forcefully reminded that they run the Welsh Rugby Union, and that it represents the Welsh nation. They should stop regarding it as their ticket to a knighthood.
Jack of the North
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“They genuinely thought that the emblem of the ‘Prince of Wales’ was perfect for the team representing the Welsh nation.”
As it is.
Um, clearly not. As the last Welsh Prince Of Wales was hundred’s of years prior to this. Not to mention that this symbol was created after this. And the inscription being in German as well. Hmm, not quite Welsh that. I think something more along the lines of ‘Cymru am byth’ would be more suitable.
Surely, a more befitting symbol would be our national flower, just like the other home nations. Or even, the symbol from our national flag. Nothing would look more striking on a Wales shirt, than a red dragon, or even just it’s head. Instead of a little tiny Welsh flag on the back of the neck. Or even a curled dragon tail, with a rugby ball motif put in there somewhere.
I totally agree on the cup being used for the Wales v South Africa autumn international. It’s not got the longevity of something like the Calcutta Cup. And Ifeel these internationals could be dropped at any time in the next few years.
Come on WRU, sort it out. A Welsh symbol for a Welsh Rugby Union.
A picture of Hugh Laurie in his Prince Of Wales garb from Blackadder would be ideal.
From Nick Parlow
Message- This is the email I sent to John Williams about the naming of the ridiculous prince William cup, the week after we lost to Fiji and Tasker Watkins died:
Dear Mr Williams,
As a supporter of Welsh rugby throughout the past forty years, rarely has a decision by the WRU grated so much as the decision to create a cup in honour of Prince William. Even recently, in a state of almost utter disillusion, I sat quiet through the decision to appoint Gareth Jenkins. I was silent when you implemented regions. I remained schtumm throughout all of David Moffet’s pronouncements, and that was quite hard, let me tell you. This, however, is a step too far. I feel i must protest.
To my mind Prince William would appear to have contributed nothing to Welsh Rugby, other than to reduce our vol-au-vent mountain in the hospitality suites of the milStad. I felt sure, when you announced a cup in his honour, that i must be mistaken, and that he had many great Welsh sporting contributions to his name, so i hurriedly logged on to the WRU website to read your justification for honouring him in such fashion. Had he perhaps taught us to scrummage? divulged the secrets of the English rolling maul? Maybe he had persuaded Barry john to come out of retirement? Nothing. “Prince William has become a great friend to Welsh rugby…” indeed? Did he buy anyone a pint in commiseration last week? did he offer to invade Fiji for us? No. He was too busy castigating his butler for failing to iron his England jersey to the requisite exacting standard. I bet he doesn’t even have a debenture. I am a better frind to Welsh rugby, and after the last match at the Stade Beaujoire we’re ! barely talking, let me tell you.
I feel you have missed a huge opportunity here by naming this cup in honour of a man whose sole association with our marvellous country will be to temporarily, if he’s lucky, receive the title of “Prince of Wales”; a title that he will regard as a stopgap on his ultimate goal of becoming King. There are so many things that unite our countries that it’s not hard to come up with something better, even when you’ve (or, in this case, i’ve) been at the sherry before lunch. For instance;
The John Taylor Cup, in celebration of our famous kicking flanker and refusenik.
the Boet Erasmus Ice Cream Dish, with a holder for 99s.
The Rourkes Drift, which could be an ordinary drift, chrome plated and engraved.
Or better still;The Tasker Watkins Cup. Has a ring to it, doesn’t it? Can’t believe you missed that one.
Yours, more in sorrow than in anger. And this is the reply I got:
————————————————-
Dear Mr Parlow
Although your strong opinion on this issue is powerfully and eloquently explained, I must respectfully disagree with your argument. Prince William undoubtedly has a genuine affection for Welsh rugby and is anxious for the success of our national team. He also fully understands how lending his name to a trophy to honour our great sporting rivalry with South Africa adds visibility to the encounters beyond the world of sport.
I do agree that the points you raise and the knowledge you display undoubtedly show you are correct in describing yourself as a friend of Welsh rugby and I sincerely hope that friendship will develop and grow in the future.
These have been tough times for our national team and I truly hope we will achieve a level of success against South Africa which will enable you to avoid the urge to take the WRU to task again although your erudite opinions will always make welcome reading.
What happens when William doesn’t get invested as Prince of Wales. They’ll have to change the badge then.