Dave Reddin doubles down on radical change plan for Welsh Rugby

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Dave Reddin has doubled down on his call for radical change to Welsh rugby, including a reduction from four to two professional sides.  The Welsh Rugby Union’s new director of rugby and elite performance put forward his “optimal system” last month, advocating huge central control and a streamlined structure aimed at delivering consistent success on the international stage.

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00:00Dave Radin has doubled down on his call for radical change to Welsh rugby,

00:06including a reduction from four to two professional sides.

00:10The Welsh Rugby Union's new director of rugby and elite performance put forward his optimal system

00:16last month advocating huge central control and a streamlined structure

00:21aimed at delivering consistent success on the international stage.

00:25Both the WIU and the four professional clubs, Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlet

00:31have entered a formal consultation process alongside other key stakeholders.

00:37The consultation ends in late September with an announcement on the new structure expected in October.

00:43Reading's proposals have faced widespread pushback, particularly from supporters,

00:48while the Dragons issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday condemning the plans as unacceptable.

00:55The structural review is a response to the men's national side,

01:02which has finished the last two Six Nations with a wooden spoon

01:06and recently ended an 18-test losing streak alongside four professional clubs

01:11that have struggled for competition.

01:14Read and explain the thinking behind the proposed changes.

01:19A key part of this proposal is the number of professional clubs.

01:22We're suggesting a structure built around two men's professional teams and two women's professional teams.

01:30By focusing resources, we can elevate funding, staffing and squad dev to a level

01:35where they can genuinely compete for domestic and European honours.

01:40At the same time, this approach would free up investment for the wider game,

01:45creating a strategic ecosystem that strengthens rugby at every level.

01:49He stressed that no decisions have yet been made.

01:54This is a proposal and we wanted to be open so we could have informed conversation

01:58and focused feedback on the proposed optimal system, not a blank sheet of paper, he said.

02:05And for Wales fans and the fans of these clubs now,

02:09they are waiting for a big decision on their future.

02:12vemos at any later.

02:15Until next time, we're going to give an idea.

02:20Go ahead and watch a shared known group of in theять.

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