Blues chairman berates 'weak' WRU

Thomas says he has no faith in the WRU's running of the game

Cardiff Blues chairman Peter Thomas has accused the Welsh Rugby Union of lacking "foresight" and "bottle" in the running of the domestic game.

Thomas told BBC Wales Sport the WRU should do more to stop the "uneven distribution" of Wales's best players.

The Blues have just lost Mike Phillips to the Ospreys, who will also have Wales's four best locks next season.

The WRU said it was surprised by Thomas's comments, describing them as "ill-judged" and "ill-informed".

Interview: Cardiff Blues chairman Peter Thomas

But Thomas, speaking on BBC Radio Wales's Back Page programme, is adamant the WRU should do more to ensure the best players in Wales are not competing for the same positions at one particular region.

"I think they have lacked foresight," said Thomas. "Regional rugby is all about distribution of the best players playing regularly.

The Blues are obviously very upset about losing Mike Philips to the Ospreys WRU statement

"And I think the governing body here allowing it to happen has made a huge mistake. They are making a rod for their own back."

As well as prizing scrum-half Phillips from the Blues on a reported £180,000 a year contract, the Ospreys have signed Wales second row Ian Gough from the Dragons.

He joins fellow Wales locks Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans and Brent Cockbain at the Liberty Stadium.

The Dragons, who again finished as the lowest placed Welsh region this season, have also lost Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper and Wales back Nathan Brew.

Thomas believes the WRU should have done more to ensure the Gwent region, the subject of a proposed takeover, have the finances to keep their best players.

"If you look at the people who have left the Dragons - they need support and investment," he said.

Thomas said he was unwilling to make the Ospreys' offer to Phillips

"It's no good looking at one individual like [chairman] Martyn Hazell, he's doing the best he can with the recourses he's got.

"But the governing body are just stepping back and not taking the responsibility that they should take for that region.

"They should never have allowed a situation where four top second rows are going to one team.

"You've also now got Justin Marshall and Mike Phillips - two world-class scrum-halves in one team. They should never of allowed it.

"You need a balance across the board. You need the best players in the best positions playing regular rugby and then behind them people coming through.

He added: "I had high hopes for the new set-up in the Welsh Rugby Union to make what I would call proper business-like decisions. I think they've shot themselves in the foot.

"They've shown they've got an Achilles heel and there are weaknesses there and I'm concerned they don't have the bottle to prevent this happening again."

You tell me who's available at quality that we or any other region can recruit as Welsh qualified Blues chairman Peter Thomas

In response, the WRU issued a strongly-worded statement which read: "We are more than surprised by these comments. They are ill-judged, ill-advised and ill-informed.

"The Blues are obviously very upset about losing Mike Philips to the Ospreys, a region which displays real ambition and drive, but we are confident that the Blues will begin next season as they ended this season - on a high note."

In the wake of Phillips's move to the Ospreys, former Cardiff players have accused the Blues of lacking ambition.

Former Arms Park captains Gwyn Jones and Mike Hall have said the Blues need to invest in a stronger squad if they hope to compete in the Heineken Cup.

But Thomas said: "If they want to throw criticism around - and I appreciate they've got a job to do - they should be mindful and aware of all the facts.

"The only way to get the facts is to give me a call, come and have a cup of coffee and I'll give them all the facts.

"They are, with respect, somewhat speaking from a blind position."

He added: "You tell me who's available at quality that we or any other region can recruit as Welsh qualified."