Anglo-Welsh aggro

The intensity of the new Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup will be a real shot in the arm for the Welsh regional sides.

"There's something extra in the age-old England-Wales rivalry"

Powergen Cup 2005/6

It's hard to put a finger on exactly why games between English and Welsh clubs have that competitive edge that just isn't seen in the Celtic League.

There have been signs of that growing intensity in some Celtic games this season, notably last week's match between the Scarlets and Munster in Musgrave Park.

But there's something extra in the age-old England-Wales rivalry. It's always been the bread and butter of Welsh rugby, the thing that really stirs the passions.

English rugby is very strong, robust and physical. It's always a worry because when they come at you full bore up front you either have to avoid it or take it on full blast.

"The ill feeling between the English clubs and the Rugby Football Union could impact on whether they choose to field full-strength teams"
Traditionally the English game is not very imaginative, but this year there are signs that there's a more expansive outlook.

The civil war raging over central contracts has got to affect the players, though, and the ill feeling between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union could impact on whether they choose to field full-strength teams in the Powergen tournament.

The row is a festering sore in the English game, and until it is solved they have zero chance of winning the next World Cup.

But the Powergen Cup will be full on and edgy enough to draw blood, and the prospect of the likes of Wasps and Leicester coming to Wales will excite all the fans of the regions.

*Eddie Butler was speaking on BBC Wales' Scrum V rugby programme

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Your say - Scrum V
BBC Where I Live - Wales
Rugby union weather
Welsh rugby web guide
Scrum V homepage
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites