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Rugby Union In WalesRugby Union is the national sport of Wales. It is particularly strong in the south of the country. History Rugby-like games have a long history in Wales, with games such as cnapan being played for centuries. Whereas Rugby in England fractured into the two separate sports of rugby union and rugby league over the issue of money Wales for the most part stayed loyal to the union game. There were some attempts to run professional rugby league sides in Wales but the heartland of Welsh rugby was simply too far from Yorkshire and Lancashire for this to be sustained. Rugby union in Wales therefore did not become as elitist as it did in England. Many attributed Welsh success to the fact that their forwards were toughened by manual work, according to the theory when Welsh industry declined and players started to be drawn from 'soft jobs' the team suffered. Harsh economic times meant that players were always tempted to 'go North' to play professional rugby league in order to earn a living. They often faced social ostracism as a result as many believed that they were traitors to Wales. Social aspects Rugby (union) has a particular hold on the national psyche of Wales. At the time of the 1999 World Cup held in Cardiff, Graham Henry, the new Welsh coach, was relatively unexposed to Welsh culture. Despite coming from New Zealand, a country with notoriously passionate rugby followers, he was taken aback by the fervour of Welsh supporters: he was somewhat surprised for example when informed of one supporter's decision to sell the lead off the roof of his house to be able to buy World Cup tickets. The Wales-England match of the 2005 Six Nations, achieved international attention far beyond the usual interest that would have followed a rugby match http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0500rugbyunion/0200news/tm_objectid=15165945&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=welsh-rugby-fan-cuts-off-own-testicles-name_page.htmlhttp://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_world_story_skin/472828%3fformat=html. Before the match, Welsh supporter Geoff Huish was drinking in the Leigh social club in Senghenydd, Caerphilly. He declared that he was so certain that England would win, that if Wales won he would "cut his balls off". After Wales achieved their first win over England since 1999, Huish returned home, castrated himself and returned to the pub with his testicles in a bag. Organisation The game in Wales is administered by the Welsh Rugby Union. Their responsiblities include producing the national team and the four regional franchises Cardiff Blues, Llanelli Scarlets, Neath-Swansea Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons. There is also a Welsh league and Welsh Cup competed for by Wales' traditional club teams. See also External links
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