Amid the lingering afterglow of Wales' record victory over England last Saturday came the news that the RBS Six Nations title decider achieved another landmark in terms of TV ratings.
A statement from the Welsh Rugby Union trumpeted unprecedented viewing figures of 1.1million from a Principality population of just 2.9m. Chief executive Roger Lewis spoke of the ‘absolutely unique place rugby occupies in the hearts and souls of the people of Wales’.
Events on Saturday did indeed reinforce the view of Wales as a rugby nation first and foremost in terms of the overall sporting landscape. But the evidence must be felt below the surface glitz of Test rugby. The feelgood buzz must now resonate through the regions and down to the junior clubs.
Champagne moment: Welsh rugby is celebrating another Six Nations success after their mauling of England But scratch beneath the surface and Sam Warburton's Cardiff Blues and Justin Tipuric's Ospreys are strugglingIf just a tiny fraction of those 1.1m supporters were to become regular, paying spectators in Cardiff and Newport, Swansea and Llanelli, then the Blues and Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets wouldn’t find themselves in belt-tightening mode.
While these modern entities do not attract the affection that the traditional clubs did, the system is entrenched now and it needs some public backing.
There is no reason why the Liberty Stadium shouldn’t be full for the Ospreys v Dragons clash but it won’t be, despite fair ticket prices. Next Saturday, when the four professional Welsh sides gather at the Millennium for a double-header, the national stadium should be bursting at the seams but for now the marketing push goes on.
Belt-tightening: The likes of Rhys Priestland's Scarlets are unable to attract large crowds
Yet, the rugby nation is in thrall to football — with Swansea City in the Premier League and Cardiff City in the Championship regularly drawing huge attendances. Meanwhile, the exodus of stellar oval-ball talent goes on, with Wales wing George North considering a move to Northampton as the Scarlets seek a fee for him.
It wouldn’t harm North’s career to move to England — he would be well coached and would play in a tough, vibrant league. But it would be a shame for the Welsh game if another of the national stars departs. The regions need more money to compete in the marketplace and a spike in public interest opens up all the other revenue streams.
The Welsh passion for rugby was writ large in the viewing figures and in Cardiff last Saturday, and it has been in evidence again as England have been savaged for complaining about referee Steve Walsh.
Now that passion must be focused on to a timely revival of the domestic game.
Having spent so long off the radar, Martin Johnson has broken cover to voice support for another lock to claim the Lions captaincy — as he did twice and Paul O’Connell did four years ago.
After Shane Williams backed Alun Wyn Jones, Johnson said of the Welshman: ‘He’s played a lot of games, he’s done it, he was with the Lions in ’09 so I think he is in the frame. I hear a lot of good things about him.’
Jones may be a logical choice as someone with a strong chance of making the Test team. Back-row candidates such as Sam Warburton and Chris Robshaw are in the most competitive selection area, while doubts about the ability of Brian O’Driscoll to withstand a seven-week tour may count against him.
Jones is an intelligent, aggressive and imposing figure who would bring a clenched-fist intensity to the role.
Ready to roar: Alun Wyn Jones has Martin Johnson's backing for the Lions captaincy this summerWhile attention was on events in Cardiff last weekend, Harlequins continued empire building in Worcester and, in the process, concluded part one of their treble challenge.
Their victory over Sale in the LV= Cup final was an endorsement of the work done by director of rugby Conor O’Shea, who trusted his deputies to handle the occasion and they delivered.
Rookie captain Luke Wallace was among the try scorers, as was the outstanding No 8, Tom Guest, while Ben Botica again proved his kicking class.
Given the age profile of the Quins squad, this has the look of a sustainable dynasty.
Built to last: Harlequins' Darryl Marfo (right) and James Johnston celebrate LV=Cup Final success Six Nations shortlist long on laughsThere was much amusement when the shortlist for the RBS Six Nations Player of the Championship was announced — damning some contenders with faint praise.
Despite claims a new statistics-based formula had been applied, England fly-half Owen Farrell was included with the citation: ‘Was the most talked-about player across social media’.
Italy full back Andrea Masi ‘collected the ball 26 times’ while Brian O’Driscoll ‘was only turned over once in the Championship’.
Star men: Leigh Halfpenny and Sergio Parisse (above) eclipsed Brian O'Driscoll - despite his low turnover rate
How they will treasure these tributes. This column’s non-scientific verdict is that Leigh Halfpenny was the best player on show, followed by Italy captain Sergio Parisse and his back-row accomplice Alessandro Zanni — in that order.
Bizarrely, France centre Wesley Fofana was omitted from the list.
More from Chris Foy... CHRIS FOY: Gatland holds breath over Lions in final showdowns with O'Driscoll among the potential casualties 23/05/13 World of Rugby: Email farce has Aussies on back foot ahead of Lions tour 16/05/13 Chris Foy: Lancaster pledges to set England's 'X-factor' backs free in Argentina 09/05/13 Chris Foy: Standby Lions face a tricky choice of resting and going off the boil... or playing and risking injury 02/05/13 CHRIS FOY COMMENT: Robshaw's omission is harsh and cruel but making Sam the leading man is a sensible move 30/04/13 Chris Foy: Jonny, hero of HQ, is set for one last hurrah with Toulon... 25/04/13 Chris Foy: It's all kicking off over Six Nations on Friday nights 18/04/13 CHRIS FOY: Fillol's 14-week spitting ban shows folly of disciplinary system 11/04/13 Chris Foy: Fans will end up paying for 2015 World Cup stadium fiasco 04/04/13 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The last wordOne thought occurred after the grand finale of the Six Nations: the championship should stage a so-called ‘Super Saturday’ every weekend, with all three matches played on that day.
These issues are controlled by broadcasters but, in the case of the BBC, they have sufficient resources to make this the norm rather than the exception on the last day of the championship.
Friday night matches worked for TV but not paying punters filling the stadiums, and the same is true of Sunday games to an extent.
Scheduling all three fixtures on each Saturday would fully restore the traditional weekend breaks so cherished by travelling fans but also level the playing field for competing teams. Rob Howley was quick to concede that Wales benefited from having an extra recovery day compared to England, who had a six-day turnaround after their clash against Italy.
For participants and spectators, it would work best if Saturday was always matchday.
More... EXCLUSIVE: Never again! Farrell learns lessons from instant replay of Wales horror Gatland: Physicality and intensity of Six Nations was perfect warm up for our tour SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England should never have allowed BBC to record their secrets... I hired security to protect ours! Tindall urges finalists to seize day as Lawes and Easter lend a hand ahead of showpiece
