DAI Young believes the presence of South Africa's four leading teams in the United Rugby Championship will give the league more credibility and force sides to field full strength teams more often.
A criticism of the old PRO14 was that fans were often short-changed with the Irish provinces in particular rarely bringing their star players with them on cross-border trips.
“I think stronger teams will be put out more often,” said Young, the director of rugby of the renamed Cardiff Rugby. “Leinster were not too happy last season because they did not go the distance in Europe despite being placed comfortably in a league which did not give them the competition they needed.
“There is a lot of talk around that and taking a path which has fewer overlaps with international rugby. The competition will undoubtedly be tougher with the addition of the four South African teams. You will have to put your best sides out to compete. That should be good for crowds: people want to see high quality rugby and there will be an increase in interest.
“The South Africans will provide something different. All their sides have big, powerful forwards and some real quality behind. They will push us hard and we are keen to see how we measure up to them. It will give us a true reflection of where we are and make it a harder competition.”
The pandemic creates logistical problems for a tournament which involves teams from five countries, each of which decide their own travel restrictions. The 16-strong league kicks off on September 24 when Emirates Lions travel to Zebre with all the South African sides starting life outside Super Rugby with four matches on the road.
Young returned to the Arms Park last season having spent nine years at Wasps. His first stint with the side, then known as the Blues, included a Challenge Cup final victory over Toulon but the league is his priority as he looks to fire a side that has been under-performing.
“We have not finished higher than seventh in the league for ten years and that is not good enough,” said Young. “We need to see improvements across the board. That means making sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and pulls in the same direction. We have to push standards; expectation is always there and we need to fulfil our potential.”
Young is meeting the Wales head coach Wayne Pivac this week when he hopes to learn about the availability of his Wales players during the season, not least for Cardiff 's first trip to South Africa immediately after the end of the autumn internationals.
“We will probably fly out on the Sunday so it is unlikely that anyone who plays in the final Wales game will join us, although they may come out the week after,” he said. “Covid rules change all the time. Where we are now may not apply when it comes to flying out to South Africa.
“If it is not safe to travel, we will not do so, but we have our first European game the week after we are in South Africa. Under the quarantine rules that apply now, we would not be able to play it. As the season approaches, everything is as clear as mud.”
Young said that his players were not obliged to be vaccinated virus and was unaware of anyone who had refused to have the jab at a time when a number of footballers were going Covid after deciding not to have an injection.
Young added. “We have some still waiting for their second jab, but they are in a minority. It makes it difficult if we are not on the same page.”
Young has been impressed with Rhys Priestland, the Wales outside-half who was a close season recruit from Bath.
“Rhys has been outstanding in training,” said Young. “He has been at the front of everything and fitted in well. He is a great addition to the squad.”
