THE anti-Welsh feeling pouring out of England by the granting of a Test match to Glamorgan in the Ashes series of 2009 is disgraceful.

I thought the name of the official governing body was the England and Wales Cricket Board, so on that basis alone why shouldn't a top Test match come to Wales?

But no, the main Test match grounds are supposed to hold sway and even if, as in the case of Old Trafford for 2009, they are overlooked Durham and Hampshire should be considered ahead of Glamorgan according to the view across the Severn Bridge.

Just look at what Derek Pringle, that all-rounder of some repute (joke), wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

"Then there is the very English attitude of serving an apprenticeship and playing fair and square, two things upstart Cardiff has broken, not least by having the political and financial muscle of the Welsh Assembly behind them. 'Iechyd da boyo,' the Welsh certainly know how to play the aid game," he penned insultingly.

Can you believe such a jaundiced view? Such blind prejudice. If Pringle feels that strongly presumably he will boycott the match if he's still around.

The comments made by Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove were of a similar nature, even threatening to pull his money out of his county.

Yet the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board is Welshman David Morgan, former Glamorgan opener Hugh Morris is deputy chief executive of the ECB, Gerard Elias, a Glamorgan man, is head of the disciplinary committee, Duncan Fletcher, ex-Glamorgan coach is in charge of England's Test team, former captain Matthew Maynard is his assistant while Dean Conway, also ex-Glamorgan, is their one-day physio.

That's a considerable Welsh/Glamorgan influence in England cricket, so I repeat why not hold a Test match here?

Sure, the extensive ground alterations needed are subject to planning permission. But then another great piece of Welsh land, if rather bigger at the Celtic Manor, is by no means complete at the moment, but that will stage the 2010 Ryder Cup.

So let's ignore the English bigots and celebrate. An Ashes Test match, the Ryder Cup, top international rugby and football plus major entertainment stars like Madonna and the Rolling Stones at the Millennium Stadium, Wales is indeed booming.

- THAT red book, that damned red book. If I've heard it mentioned once in the past few weeks I've heard it 100 times.

I'm talking about the Welsh Rugby Union's red book, the sacred constitution which has been so blown up by some that it's got to the point where it governs their lives.

Letters went in to WRU headquarters requesting an EGM, submitted incorrectly in the first place, so more letters were delivered, even by hand, and so it goes on.

Now I know there have to be rules governing every organisation, and codes of conduct which we all have to live by.

But it's gone beyond with this particular issue. In this day and age where rugby has gone professional at the top end why are amateurs still having the greatest say?

For how much longer can the tail be allowed to wag the dog? We've got a situation where an EGM is called to discuss in some cases matters which are way beyond the scope of amateur clubs.

I would even say that the red book, the holier-than-holy constitution, should be ripped up, started again and divided into two.

There should be one body governing the professional and semi-pro game from international level to the four regional teams to the semi-pro Premier Division.

And then there should be another body with a different set of rules governing the game from Division One down.

How can it be that Aber whoever or Llan somebody are having a say in what happens with rules and matters governing the professional, elite end of the sport?

When it comes to the EGM called by the clubs and arranged for May 14, all the clubs are entitled to take a vote of no confidence in the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.

But what about the four regions, the teams that represent Wales in the Celtic League and in Europe? No chance, they can attend for sure and they can speak if they wish, but they won't have a vote.

Now that surely can't be, it's complete nonsense. Quite clearly the WRU does need an overhaul, but not the one the vast majority of clubs seem to want.

- THEY don't make them like Ken Jones any more.

The great man's funeral was held today in his home town of Blaenavon attended by hundreds from all walks of life gathered to pay tribute to a quite unique sportsman.

Ken won 44 rugby union caps for Wales, made 292 appearances for Newport, scoring 145 tries including five in one game, and he won a silver medal for Wales in the 4x100 yards relay at the 1948 Olympic Games, as well as being Welsh 100 and 200 yards champion for seven years in a row!

Just pause and consider those achievements for a moment and maybe the reality of what he achieved will sink in. I would suggest they are of such magnitude that they will never be repeated.

His 44 caps between 1947 and 1957 would be more like 144 today. They were earned in the days when Wales played just four games a season, occasionally five when a major Southern Hemisphere team arrived here, there was no World Cup, no national tours overseas and no Autumn internationals.

Nowadays a player can win 12 caps a season, more in World Cup years, so it's not difficult to imagine just how many Ken would have earned had he been playing today and remained injury free.

And he combined both glittering careers with earning a living through teaching and then in business, not to mention bringing up a family!

The word legend is so often over-used, but it really does apply in Ken's case. There is talk of erecting a statue in his honour - all I would say to that is the sooner the better.