We began with 5 regions and the vow that players would be centrally contracted to the Welsh Rugby Union ensuring that, even though we would now have less teams playing at the highest level, no player would be left out in the cold and talent would be nurtured for the sake of national rugby and the success of the regions in Europe.
So here we are 8 years down the line, players still contracted to their region and fans disappointed in the way legends of the Welsh game are being treated.
This week has brought the news that both world class flanker Martyn Williams and 70 times capped centre Tom Shanklin will be released from Cardiff Blues. Chairman Peter Thomas points to a financial motive for both of these decisions.
As fans and armchair pundits we have short memories.
We should not be shocked that Martyn is to leave the region, it has always been his intention to finish his 'club' career at the end of this season, indicating that he would take up a special agreement with the WRU, meaning he would be contracted to them up to and through the 2011 RWC ending his professional career at the end of the tournament.
It would seem Martyn has no intention to play for the Blues beyond the end of this season. So why should they extend his contract, paying his undoubtably high wage packet, for him to only represent Wales in New Zealand later this year and never pull on the regions colours again?
The expectation, from the Blues and MW, was that the union would pick up the reigns and sort out a deal. Silence from the WRU and whispers from inside the Blues would suggest that Martyn has been unable to arrange this though, surprising considering Warren Gatland's very public desire for Martyn to be part of his World Cup squad.
The double announcement by the Blues also sees Tom Shanklin exit the region. Today, Shanks goes under the knife after sustaining another knee injury.
Tom, a double grand slam winner, when fit, has been a staple of the Welsh squad. A solid performer with consistent displays no matter who his midfield partner has been. However, it is well documented that Shanklin has never toured with the Lions, highlighting his bad luck with injuries. After selection in 2009, Tom was cruelly hit with a shoulder injury in one of the Blues final games of the season, forcing reconstructive surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
It isn't just his shoulder that has fallen foul to injury though, with many knocks to his knees being picked up in the last few years, an observer must ask themselves, how much rugby does he have left in him?
Of course it is unfair for any player to be let go, but at 31, would Tom's re-inclusion in the Blues squad and more importantly their playing budget keep younger talent out?
The crux of the matter is that sport is business and no matter how steeped in history and pride our national game is, there is no room for sentiment in rugby in 2011.
This afternoon a statement was released by the NG Dragons and Robin Sowden-Taylor to announce the flanker's retirement.
I wish Robin the best of luck with whatever direction he takes next but at the same time he is probably the best example of the failure of regionalisation and a lesson for the future.
RST has been capped 8 times. A promising talent from his teenage years, he was regarded as the natural successor to Martyn Williams at openside for both the Blues and Wales.
Unlike many modern professionals though, Williams has been treated well by injury, meaning Robin has missed out on those opportunities to step up and shine and with Sam Warburton coming through in the past few seasons, RST couldn't even depend on Williams' imminent retirement as a means to more caps.
And now, we run the risk of this happening again as Martyn departs the Blues leaving Warburton as first choice openside, another young talent waits in the wings in the form of Josh Navidi.
Even closer in age than Martyn and Robin, these two young talents and many others in positions where we have strength in depth, run the risk of repeating recent history all because we're still yet to realise the promises made by WRU for regional rugby in Wales.
