How do you feel about the London Welsh situation and should they have been promoted?
As a rugby man I find it hard to stomach these unnecessary bad headlines associated with the sport. I would much prefer these matters were handled in a proactive manner by the powers that be off the pitch. It cannot be right that three of the four teams fighting to win the play-offs from the Championship were apparently deemed unable to reach standards set out for promotion. It seems farcical that it was left this late. Add to that the fact the decision on refusing London Welsh's application came on the day of the first leg of the final and it just leaves a sour taste in the mouth for rugby fans. It's my opinion that if at the start of the season you say that the league will be decided on this format, based on these results on the field then that must stand. Otherwise it makes a mockery of the efforts for teams involved in the promotion battle in the Championship and the relegation from the Premiership. It needs to be clear from the outset who can get promoted and who can't.
It's less than a year to the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, what would your test 22 be if the first test vs Australia was tomorrow?
15. Rob Kearney
14. George North
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Owen Farrell
11. Alex Cuthbert
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips
8. David Denton
7. Sam Warburton
6. Sean O'Brien
5. Alun-Wyn Jones
4. Richie Gray
3. Adam Jones
2. Dylan Hartley
1. Cian Healy
Replacements
16. Rory Best
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Ryan Jones
19. Toby Faletau
20. Lee Dickson
21. Jonny Sexton
22. Jamie Roberts
It's really hard to select a Lions team at the best of times but with many players playing well, many key figures injured and so much rugby to play my team could change in a week let alone a year!
Ospreys won the RaboDirect Pro12 this season, they're losing alot of players for next season. Tommy Bowe, Shane Williams, Huw Bennett, Nikki Walker, Paul James etc. Can they be a force next season with their young team?
Over the last couple of years there has been a raft of 'big' names making their way out of Swansea and much has been said about this. However, of the team that took the field in the RaboDirect Pro12 final against Leinster only Shane Williams and Paul James will not be there next year. Shane obviously will be a huge loss as his monumental contribution showed in that final but overall there is still bags of quality there so fans should not despair. And, in sport in general I feel there is a school of thought that bigger means better or that money is the key factor in success. While it undoubtedly helps matters, the cornerstone of the best teams in sport are based on invaluable, intangible foundations. All the money in the world will not help a team to succeed if these are absent. Similarly, teams without the 'star names' can reach the pinnacle of sport if these are the fabric of the club. The Ospreys deserve huge credit for trying to promote homegrown talent and developing from within from the coaching staff to the players. I hope they can be successful.
Shane Williams is retiring and Martyn Williams is getting his 100th cap for Wales before retiring, what have they contributed to Welsh rugby throughout their successful career?
It's great for Martyn to get his 100th cap, its testament to his longevity and character that he is still around to be in with a chance of selection. He has seen it all with Welsh rugby and it's a fitting end for him to achieve this milestone for all he has given to the game in the principality.
With Shane, well, it is really difficult to find anything to say not least because it has all been said before. There aren't enough superlatives to accurately sum up his ability, influence and achievements. He was a joy to play with, a great role model for any rugby player, indeed, any sports person. He was fearless, demanded the ball and always looked to exert his influence on a game. It is often said that player's weaknesses get exploited more with time but I feel I can say that for me Shane has been Wales' greatest player. He will be sorely missed on the field as he has been the go-to man for the Ospreys and Wales for a decade but he will leave a gap for fans to, because he really was magic to watch, the sort of player who justifies the entrance fee. But while it is the end of an era, Wales are fortunate that they can look forward to the future with the exhilarating prospect of North and Cuthbert making their presence felt on the wings at the Millenium.
You can find Michael on twitter @mikeowenrugby and his website
