Rugby Union: Benefits of cross-border skirmishes

IT IS hard to accept that there are still those who are writing off the rebel Anglo-Welsh friendlies as meaningless because they suspect that the English clubs are not putting their hearts and souls into their encounters with Cardiff and Swansea. Some of the best rugby I've seen this season has been in the unofficial matches, and I expect to see a lot more.

Naturally, much of the criticism has been politically motivated. There were many banking on the venture being a flop. But, thanks to the bravery of all concerned, we've been given a glimpse of an exciting future. If, as we all pray, there is to be a British League next season the presence of the two Welsh clubs among the Allied Dunbar teams will have already made a big contribution to ensuring its success.

Considering the difficulties English clubs have had in fitting in the fixtures and other problems such as finding referees, the games have been generally much better than I expected, while the results have been a great boost to Welsh rugby.

If you dismiss them, you had better explain why Saracens were so excited last week when they won an excellent match at Swansea. Perhaps they were faking their celebrations but they looked to me like a team who felt that they had just achieved something worthwhile. And they had. I'd seen them a few weeks earlier when they had been beaten by Cardiff and they were pig-sick. I can't imagine a top rugby player who doesn't want to win every game he plays, whatever the circumstances.

I will accept that the English have not put out their full teams on every occasion. But how often do clubs have the luxury of a full-strength team for any match these days? There's always someone on the injured list. Having said that, I've no doubt that the friendly matches offer a welcome opportunity to rest players who are not quite 100 per cent. But I'm sure that the teams opposing Cardiff and Swansea have been the best available.

Then we hear about the motivation factor. They say that Cardiff and Swansea are up for the games because they mean so much to them but the English relax because no league points are involved. Without being able to see into the players' minds I can't be sure. I certainly haven't seen any real evidence of it on the park. I've seen sloppy, half-hearted play at times but I've seen plenty of that in the Allied Dunbar, too.

It was said when Cardiff won at Leicester last weekend that Leicester weren't that fired up for the match. Maybe players' attitudes have changed in the two years since I stopped playing but I find that difficult to believe. If I was playing in front of 10,000 home fans against one of our oldest rivals, I don't think I'd be too interested in losing.

Players from both Welsh clubs have told me that one of the most valuable things they've had to learn this season is not to start cruising when they're in front. Against most Welsh opposition they could get away with it but the English clubs come back hard at them at the slightest sign that they are relaxing. That's been the pattern of many of the games.

This is just one of the reasons why Cardiff and Swansea are gaining so much from this season. Playing at a higher level week after week has done wonders for them, which is more proof that the games have been anything but a dawdle. Although petty jealousies in Wales prevent most people from taking a positive view, it is already clear that the Welsh team and Welsh rugby generally are benefiting from the rebel action.

If Cardiff and Swansea had remained in the Welsh structure they would not have developed to anything like the level they have. They have played with great enthusiasm and have risen to a challenge that could have easily defeated them. Each game has been more beneficial to them than most they would have faced at home. They are responding to playing consistently at a higher level and facing rugby of a different intensity and at a faster pace.

Cardiff's first-half performance at Leicester was the best by a long way I've seen from them for two years. They were getting dour and stale in Wales. Now they are invigorated and will get even better as the season progresses. Swansea haven't played quite as well but they, too, are showing great potential. Their first half against Saracens provided the best rugby I've seen this season. Unfortunately for Swansea, Alain Penaud responded better than anyone to give the finest individual display of the season so far - surpassing even the brilliance Robert Howley has been showing for Cardiff.

Matches that can produce performances like that mustn't be scoffed at. And it is going to get better when the return matches come. All the English beaten by the Welsh will be looking for revenge.

Swansea and Cardiff provide key players for the Welsh team, so the contribution of the rebellion to Graham Henry's team building is considerable. And, all the time, the two clubs are building up their strength and confidence ready for the British League. All Wales will eventually thank them for the risks and the abuse they've taken. And the appeal of the English season won't have suffered, either.