When the WRU announced the season was shutting down amid the coronavirus crisis, no club was hit harder than Cardiff. On course for a league and cup double, they also had their eyes on £30,000 of prize money as well.
Then there was the prospect of shooting for an unprecedented treble with the new cross-border competition with the Scottish Super 6 teams. That, too, has been shelved.
“There is no doubt the decision by the WRU was the right one and we back them to the hilt. Sport is very much of secondary importance at the moment, although that doesn’t stop you from dreaming of what might have been possible,” said Norman.
“I’m sure that’s the same for Pontypool and Bargoed in the Championship, who have also missed out on the possibility of promotion. It’s tough on them, but I’m sure they will come back strongly next season.
“We had our sights set on doing the double and, despite a few wobbles in recent weeks, we felt well placed to give it a really good shot. We had a seven point lead at the top of the Premiership over Carmarthen Quins, who had played one game more than us, and eight over third placed Aberavon.
“The reality was that four bonus point wins in our last six games would have guaranteed us the title for the first time since 2009. We also had a Cup semi-final against the Quins to look forward to.
Sport is very much of secondary importance at the moment, although that doesn’t stop you from dreaming of what might have been possible
“As there will be no champions declared this season I want to find a way to give our players the credit they deserve for what they have done in being the team that everyone had to beat. They have been outstanding and great ambassadors for Cardiff RFC.”
Exactly what Norman and his committee will come up with to mark their side finishing on top of the table at the end one of the most extraordinary season in the history of rugby is still up in the air. It will be debated long and hard once the bigger issues are determined.
Contracts for next season, whenever that may be, need to be confirmed and, as with every sporting outfit, the club needs to understand what its budget will be moving forward.
“We are in discussion with Cardiff Blues, who own the licence for Cardiff RFC, about what might be possible next season. Completing the new deal for our head coach Steve Law was top of the agenda, but now that’s done we need to review our commitment to the 20+ players we were looking to contract for next season,” said Norman.
“Steve has done a brilliant job in rebuilding the Cardiff RFC brand and winning the Cup last season was the first step in giving the people of Cardiff a team of which they could feel proud once again. We are due to celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2026 and the plan is to be the leading club side in Wales and, if possible, beyond.
The re-signing of head coach Steve Law was top of Cardiff’s agenda
“Regional rugby wouldn’t have existed without the goodwill and co-operation of many of the teams still playing in the Premiership. We are still very much alive, still ambitious and still vitally important to the future success of the regions and the game as a whole in Wales.
“We are very proud of the fact we nurtured Ben Thomas over two seasons and helped him make the grade at the Blues. And that we rescued a talent like James Ratti after he had been let go at the Ospreys and helped him to get a contract at the Blues.
“We are doing the same with Max Llewellyn and we also believe that Terri Gee could easily step up into the Blues squad in the near future. There are many more examples of players like this around other regions.
“The Premiership is competitive and relevant, but could be so much better and even more beneficial to the professional game. The integrity of the Premiership must not be compromised, but it can become far more integrated into the professional playing pathway.
“Now is the time for these discussions to take place so that we can re-emerge from this crisis better prepared to help each other improve standards all round.”
