The "Only Way", a personal view of the way forward for Welsh Club Rugby, by Lyn Jones

Now is the time for the governing body to show strong leadership in pulling together the factions that have developed over recent months

A Reformed club Structure

The only way to move forward is with a reduction to an eight club Premier Division, to be put in place as soon as possible

We must then spend two years working together to decide whether a regional or club structure at the top level is most appropriate for the long term health of the game

If at the end of the two years a regional structure is required. it will sit above the eight clubs, and will ensure that we have the higher level of competition necessary to bring through the next generation of players for the 2001 Rugby World Cup

Decisions such as these must not be made overnight, and by working together over the next two years, we will have either a strong club or, if necessary, a (four) province structure. with logistics, management and fixtures properly in place

We must allow room for the ambition of other clubs, by offering an end of season play-off between the lowest placed of the premier sides. and the division one champions

If in two years it is decided to follow a regional structure, decisions will have to be made as to which competitions the regional teams will play in- Care must be taken not to irrevocably downgrade the competitiveness of the club game

Rugby Academy and under.21's

The midweek under-21'$ league has been in place for two years, and the benefits in this short time have already been vast, with six senior squad players coming through the system at Neath. It is also vital that each of the eight clubs has a strong rugby academy, to develop players from under-17's through to under-21's

A minimum of four under-21 players should be included in 32 man senior squads.

Salary Cap

A salary cap of £1.4m must be introduced, in order to stop the spiralling salaries agents are demanding.

Governing Body Funding

Additioal funding must be directed towards the eight top clubs if we are to improve our performance in European and

Celtic competitions- However, to stop the inflation that additional funding could bring, clubs must initially reduce and then maintain control of thejr overheads at realistic levels

Funding of the clubs must be on merit, based on league position in the previous season, as follows: -

First £1.25m

Second £1-25m

Third £1.1m

Fourth £1- 1 m

Fifth £1.1m

Sixth £1.Om

Seventh £1.0m

Eighth £0.85m

In addition to the above each club should be allocated a ring-fenced £65,000 for funding of their rugby academy, giving a total funding requirement for the Premier Division of £9.17m

Bonus Points System

The bonus points system should be re-introduced to encourage try scoring rugby in order to improve the product on the pitch. The game in Wales is too slow and a more positjve. higher intensity game must be encouraged

Match Day Squad Composition

Eighteen of the twenty two-strong match day squad must be Welsh-qualified. This will allow for two quality overseas players, and two qualijty players who have the potentjal to become Welsh-qualified by residency