February 20, 2003, 5.27pm • No comments (be first!) » • 1,075 Views

Cheap shot

Wales’ flagging national rugby team could be “sold” off for just £27.03 in an internet auction.

The country’s pride and joy was cheapened in defeat by Italy last week - an embarassement which has turned many die-hard fans off the national sport.

With the clock ticking before Wales host high-flying England in Cardiff on Saturday, the men in red shirts have been put up for sale on the Ebay website.

But Wales’ remaining supporters should stop before they contemplate having their own Dafydd James or Ben Evans on the mantelpiece - the sale is just a spoof designed to raise money for a children’s charity.

Ebay item #2711102345 advertises “a bunch of overpaid, overweight, unfit, under-committed so-called professional rugby players”.

“The Welsh nation just wants to see the back of them and start all over again,” says the ad.

“Therefore, we are asking only a nominal starting price and we have set no reserve.”

So far, 28 bids have been placed by bargain-hunters, pushing the 1p starting price up to £27.03 before the auction ends on Monday - the same day Welsh Rugby Union chiefs gather to hammer out a rescue plan for Wales’ rugby future.

But A-rated seller Russell Willey of Bridgend, who also uses Ebay to sell rare match programmes, admits: “Any money raised in this auction will be donated to the Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, just like the players match fees should be.”

“It’s great to see that so many people are taking it in the humour in which it was intended,” he added.

The Tŷ Hafan appeal - backed by Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlotte Church and the Welsh Assembly Government - is trying to raise £XXm to run Wales’ first free hospice especially for youngsters, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Donors can also pledge money directly via the appeal’s own website.