Still rugby daft

There is never an off season for Welsh rugby, never a time when it is not being discussed and merely a few months when the game is not being played.

Wales are out of the World Cup but that has not diminished the country's interest in the game. The passion for it remains. In Wales at the moment, there's the Magners League, the Premiership, the Heineken Cup, the retirement of some senior players, the anticipated appointment of a national coach, and of a director of elite performance.

There's Martyn Williams's retirement from international rugby, Gareth Thomas's future in the international game, as well as the return of Gavin Henson and continuing debate as to the best place for James Hook to play.

Dai came bustling in through my front door of my house. He lives in Llantwit Major, to the west of Cardiff, not a traditional hotbed of rugby though anywhere in Wales is rugby daft whether it's Aberystwyth in mid-Wales, the Lleyn peninsual in the north or Pembrokeshire in the west.

"Fair play," Dai said. "Them Argentinians can play rugby. God they've improved. I was just watching them play us years ago ago. Edwards and all were playing for us. Dew, they've come on a lot since then. I hope they beat South Africa."

Cardiff last Saturday night was awash with rugby supporters as it is after a home international. Never mind that the game had kicked off at 8pm and was between France and New Zealand. To come out of the stadium at 10.30 or so and walk towards the Angel Hotel was to be reminded what it is like after a home game for Wales. The crowds were still there only this time they wore All Blacks scarves and sweaters or the blue of France.

On Sunday morning plastic cups still littered St Mary's Street. Temporary railings near the Castle had not been taken down. Cardboard containers that had been full of chips the night before lay discarded on the street.

Come Monday and rugby was on the agenda once again when it was announced that Wales would play a two-test series v South Africa next summer for the Prince William Trophy. "William couldn't be here for the announcement because he's in France supporting England," someone joked.

Meanwhile, Roger Lewis, the WRU chief executive, David Pickering, the chairman, and Gerald Davies, a board member, were off to the southern hemisphere in search of a new coach.

That prompted more speculation. Why wasn't Mike Ruddock's name being mentioned as a contender for the top job in Wales? He coached the grand-slam winning side of 2005. Would Warren Gatland, the New Zealander be the man to take over or, horror of horrors, might England trump Wales's financial offer for Gatland with a huge one of their own? New Zealand's defeat by France meant they, like Wales, were out of the World Cup, which meant that Steve Hansen, an assistant coach, and Graham Henry, the head coach, were out of jobs. Both had coached Wales before. Might either return?

There has been more sympathy than was expected for Gareth Jenkins, the Wales coach who was sacked in France last month within hours of his team being beaten by Fiji. "A defeated General should return with his army" was how one Welshman put it.

Rugby, rugby, rugby. Rugby in Wales is the football of other countries. "It's a passion. It unites us and defines us" Roger Lewis had said. And the sooner Wales get back to the highest table in world rugby the better. Then the talking can really begin.