Starting this weekend, the ES Group Rugby League Conference will begin.
The redesigned rugby league structure in Wales, according to former Wales captain Lloyd White, has the potential to draw in a large number of fresh rugby union players.
This weekend marks the start of the JES Group Rugby League Conference, a significant advancement for the 13-man code that will take place throughout Wales.
The eight-club competition will have a new trophy and sponsor. The Grand Final will take place at The Gnoll in Neath, a club that was recently turned down by the Welsh Rugby Union to play in their own new tier, Super Rygbi Cymru.
Wales Rugby League, an organization that has made several attempts over the years to challenge the dominance of the 15-a-side game, made what seems to be a wise decision.
Few are better positioned than White to assess the likelihood of success for this most recent attempt to gain some leeway.
Before switching to rugby league, the 35-year-old, who was a rugby union player for Cardiff Youth, played with players like Sam Warburton, the nephew of former Great Britain star Phil Ford.
After a highly successful career that included a six-year stint with Widnes, White went to coaching and will work with Ben Flower, another former Wales international, to oversee the operations of South Wales Jets.
“I think we can attract a lot of new players and supporters by revamping rugby league in Wales at this time,” says White, whose Jets team is based at Penallta RFC, which is close to Caerphilly.
It’s a pretty short summer season because there are only eight teams and we only play each other once, either at home or away, plus one additional home game.
That implies that it’s ideal for rugby union players who want to play league for a brief summer season, and I would be shocked if we didn’t get a sizable crowd.
“We already have a number of union players at the Jets from teams in the Cardiff region, Penallta, and Nelson.
The winter rugby union season is a long way off, so now is the perfect time to maintain your fitness, pick up new abilities, and stay current.
“I don’t want to talk too much about what’s going on in Wales rugby union right now, but this tournament, right now, definitely presents an opportunity for us, and we should try to seize it.”
As the defending champions, the Jets will open the new season on Saturday against the most successful team in the league’s 20-year history, the Bridgend Blue Bulls.
On the first weekend, South Wales Saints will play Rhondda Outlaws, while Swansea Rams will host Cynon Valley Cavaliers.
A week later, the campaigns of the other two teams, the Aberavon Fighting Irish and the Torfaen Tigers, get underway.
“We’re eagerly looking forward to the start of the season,” says White, “and the Jets players have improved in the last few weeks.
“We know it will be a competitive league, but I have to admit I don’t know a great deal about the strength of the other clubs.”
White is optimistic that the redesigned league would not only offer an option to rugby union but also spark interest in the sport more widely in Wales, especially as a means of preparing for future internationals.
Although a local route could offer a bigger playing base, historically, the Wales squad has primarily relied on players with Welsh roots from Super League or Championship clubs.
Giving players a path to eventually play for Wales is something we have discussed, continued White.
Naturally, that won’t happen right away, but if players are skilled enough to advance, it will eventually
“It won’t happen overnight, of course, but if players are skilled enough to advance through the ranks, we should be able to produce the Wales international players of the future in due course.”
