NEWPORT'S John Ryan has resigned as manager of the Wales Sevens team, blaming the Welsh Rugby Union for failing to take the mini version of the game seriously. He says if Wales are to play sevens rugby they need a dedicated squad like other countries or not bother at all.

Ryan also complains of the difficulties putting a sevens squad together to compete in International Board events all over the world and he says Wales were forced to suffer huge defeats in some tournaments.

He also criticises the decision to recall Llanelli outside-half Gareth Bowen from the New Zealand tournament to play at Ebbw Vale 24 hours later.

"It's not been easy with the clubs," said Ryan, the former Wales coach who remains the only person to coach two clubs -- Newport and Cardiff -- to winning the Welsh Cup. "I understand the reluctance of the clubs to release players and the Union's reluctance to insist on the release of players," he said.

"But 24 hours before the team was due to take part in an international tournament in New Zealand I had a call from the Union to send Gareth Bowen home to play at Ebbw Vale the next day.

"There is the consideration to the player when he has been abroad for two weeks preparing.

"What a way to treat a player. What message does that send to the clubs about the status within the Union of sevens?

"To be fair to Terry Cobner (Wales director of rugby) he did try to get a dedicated sevens squad.

"But he had to withdraw offers to players because the clubs already had them under contract.

"Once the season came in there were requirements for under-21 players for international weekends which coincided with the sevens.

"That meant we were depleted, so we had to go the clubs who had difficulties releasing the players.

"I enjoyed doing the job, but there were more difficulties putting a team on to the field who could do justice to Wales in a world tournament.

"We lost 78-0 to New Zealand at sevens which is not easy, there's not a lot of development to be gained from that.

"People do their best, but it's not very satisfactory watching a Welsh national team in front of 35,000 spectators losing like that. We are not billed as a young team or development side but as Wales. There are no excuses, we are out there as Wales."

Ryan was appointed sevens boss in 1995 and he pleads for the authorities to either take sevens seriously or leave it altogether. "Unless Wales puts a dedicated squad of players together, it is going to be difficult," he said.

"Either Wales should grasp the nettle or not bother at all."

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