professional sides, all of which operate along the M4 corridor. It will provide an interesting backdrop to next month's meeting of the International Rugby Board's rugby committee which will revisit the issue of World Cup funding. When New Zealand last October argued that major unions were suffering too great a drop in income during a World Cup year to justify taking part in the tournament, Wales were among the unions who took issue. The landscape has changed since and the Welsh Rugby Union faces losing a number of its leading players to sides in France and England, undermining its coach Warren Gatland's attempt to create a club atmosphere in the national side. Central contracts are one potential solution, but it is an option the WRU cannot yet afford. There were fears 10 years ago that the Six Nations would be dominated by England and France with the Celtic unions and Italy marginalised. Ireland and Wales have averted that, but for how much longer? They need Scotland to start sending a few more home to think again.