Wales legend Shane Williams has criticised the Welsh Rugby Union's lack of financial support for rugby in schools and colleges, describing it as "almost non-existent" and saying he has no faith in those who run the game.
In an interview with the BBC, Williams, who is head of rugby at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, said a number of talented young players are being lost to the game in Wales.
Williams questions pathway priorities
"It's the most important part of it all," Williams told Radio Wales Breakfast. "Where do these youngsters come from? Are we looking after them in the pathway?"
"Are we just prioritising the elite players that the regions are looking after? And the answer to that is 'yes'."
"We need far more help and we try and do our best as head of rugby and coaches in these schools and colleges, but we don't seem to be getting much back at the minute," he added.
Players lost to England
"It is frustrating, I see a lot of good players coming through the system and I see a lot of good players being lost in the system or lost to England at the minute."
The WRU is attempting to restructure the game in Wales, with a cut from four to three professional clubs in the pipeline, while it wants to invest £28m over five years into the pathway.
This has been met with widespread resistance, with a number of former internationals and prominent administrators calling for the WRU board to resign.
No faith in WRU leadership
"No, I don't have much faith, to be honest with you," Williams added when asked whether he still has faith in those who run the game in Wales. "I think we're still none the wiser."
"I think they just took a little break in deciding what was going to happen, but knowing deep down in their hearts that they wanted it to be three regions."
"We as coaches know the uncertainty of who's going to remain as a region next year and that is very difficult. But what we are trying to do and what we do need is a bit more support in the pathway side of the rugby."
"We talk about the regions, we talk about the national team, but where do they think these players come from?," he continued. "I can answer that for you straight away. That is schools and colleges."
