Neath boss wants European chance

Rowland Phillips, Head Coach at Welsh Premiership side Neath, believes the Principality Premiership winners should gain entry into the European Challenge Cup.

Rowland Phillips, Head Coach at Welsh Premiership side Neath, believes the Principality Premiership winners should gain entry into the European Challenge Cup.

Having won the league for four seasons running Neath now want the chance to prove themselves on a bigger stage.

Talking on Scrum V the Neath boss said that the league winners, along with next best five finishers, should be given the chance in Europe.

He said Wales and its region's would benefit from better-developed players, but his notion is unlikely to gain WRU backing.

“We'd like the extra incentive of the European Challenge Cup and experience of playing abroad,” Phillips said.

The WRU is conducting a review into the value of the Premiership to the national game and Phillips believes the division's top six clubs would make an ideal platform for developing young talent.

“The frustrating thing is that you achieve your goals, maintain and improve your standards. But you can't go anywhere because there's nowhere to go,” he added.

“This has been noticed and mentioned with regards to a restructuring of the Premiership, whatever or whenever that's going to be.

“They could go to places like Romania, France and Italy, which to me is part of that development as well.”

In reply to Phillips' suggestion a WRU spokesman said that no decision would be made until the review of the Welsh Premiership had been completed.

“A thorough review of Premiership rugby is currently being concluded and everyone involved will have to consider its full range of findings before discussing any fresh strategic or operational changes within the division,” the spokesman said.

“Neath have enjoyed a great season and their ambition to continue to test themselves at the very highest of levels is particularly encouraging to all involved in Welsh rugby.”