Scarlets Put ‘the Rag Doll’ Up For Grabs

Llanelli have asked for official permission to hang a three foot tall Rag Doll, from their crossbar during their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at Bath’s Recreation Ground on Saturday.
The Rag Doll Match dates back to the First World War when a Bath supporter, Mrs Rosina Rothery, presented it for annual competition and, after a week long search, the Scarlets have found the original doll.
If tournament organisers European Rugby Cup Ltd and Bath Rugby agree to uphold the tradition it will be the first time the Rag Doll has been up for grabs for nearly ten years.
Llanelli are in proud possession following their 27-10 Stradey Park victory in 1993, Bath won the last meeting between the two clubs in August 2000, but luckily for The Scarlets that match was considered to be a ‘friendly’. So the doll stayed put.
“The Rag Doll Match is the kind of unique quirk of tradition which historic clubs like Llanelli and Bath are built on,” said Llanelli commercial manager Ross Davies.
“This club is over a hundred years old with a long and prestigious history. We were one of the founder members of the Welsh Rugby Union and a century later we are still very much at the forefront of world Rugby.
“It will be a great unison of past and future if we are allowed to continue the Rag Doll tradition in the quarter-finals of Europe’s flagship club tournament.
“The Heineken Cup is the standard bearer of the professional age in Rugby Union and this club is changing as fast as any in order to achieve success in Europe, but we will never lose sight of our illustrious past and will always respect our traditions.”
Llanelli are the only Welsh side remaining in the Elite European competition, and would dearly love to make it to the final four. Llanelli have made it to the semi-finals before, in 1999 they faced eventual champions Northampton- a game they lost 28-31.
The Scarlets finished 2nd in pool one this season, winning four games and losing just twice.