Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris has taken a swipe at the Welsh regions after fans voiced their desire for more Anglo-Welsh matches.
Before Christmas, the Guinness PRO14 announced the creation of the Rainbow Cup - a tournament that involves the 12 Celtic and Italian sides, plus four from South Africa.
This summer's inaugural competition is thought to be paving the way for the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions to join an expanded PRO16 from next season.
As the league expands deeper into South Africa - a move one commenter labelled 'the death rattle of a dying league' - an Anglo-Welsh or British and Irish League will now feel very far away for those who want it here in Wales.
But former British and Irish Lion Ferris had a bit of a dig during Premier Sports' coverage of Ulster's win over Munster last week, pointing out the regions are not even performing well in the league in which they currently compete.
Lead commentator Mark Robson said of the match: "It's a big difference guys. I watched the Welsh derbies last night [New Year's Day], the Welsh derbies in general, [and there was] so much kick tennis.
"The ball was up in the air, back and forth, back and forth. Here tonight, both sides are determined to play some rugby."
Ferris replied: "I think it's a very interesting point. The Welsh teams are very vocal about how they want more Anglo-Welsh fixtures but they're not delivering the goods against each other, against the Irish teams or against the Scottish teams.
"I'm not quite sure what it is about those Welsh regions at the minute."
To Robson's point, there were 42 kicks from hand in the Ulster v Munster match that he was commentating on. The teams made a combined 715 metres in a game that saw 16 clean breaks, 52 defenders beaten and 12 offloads.
In the Ospreys' win over Cardiff Blues - arguably the most entertaining Welsh derby of the festive season so far - there were 72 kicks from hand.
Teams made a combined 596 metres with the ball in a game that saw 12 line breaks, 20 defenders beaten and six offloads.
In the Scarlets' win over the Dragons there were 81 kicks, 725 metres run, 16 breaks, 29 defenders beaten and 11 offloads.
Ferris' point would probably have been more accurately directed at fans of Welsh rugby rather than the regions themselves, although some power brokers in Wales have voiced a desire to create a league that involves Welsh teams facing English ones on a more regular basis.
The theory being that the less travel involved would see a spike in away supporters at matches and generate a better atmosphere, with a more entrenched rivalry.
Against Irish provinces, though, the Welsh regions have won just two out of 13 matches so far this season. Munster and Ulster have completed clean sweeps over the regions, Leinster have beaten three but are yet to play the Scarlets.
The Blues and Scarlets have beaten Connacht, with the Galway outfit yet to play the Ospreys and Dragons.
Against Scottish opposition, the regions have won three and lost four, with Edinburgh yet to play Dean Ryan's Dragons.
Irish sides currently sit first and second in both conferences. Ulster are yet to lose a game this season.
"There goes our chances of ever getting a free holiday in Wales," concluded Robson.
