The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is set to reduce the number of professional teams to three, with one in Cardiff, one in the west, and one in the east. Players were informed of the decision on Friday morning, though all four current regions—Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons, and Cardiff—will remain in place until at least the end of the 2027/28 season under a tiered-funding model.
00:00The Welsh Rugby Union is set to reduce the number of professional teams to three, with one in Cardiff, one in the West and one in the East.
00:11Players were informed of the decision on Friday morning, though all four current regions, Scarletts, Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff, will remain in place until at least the end of the 2027-28 season under a tied funding model.
00:26Further details on the proposed three clubs, which may not retain existing branding, are expected in the coming weeks.
00:34Initially led by Director of Rugby, Dave Redding had proposed reducing the numbers of sides to two before undertaking a six-week consultation with stakeholders.
00:45Following a strong backlash from clubs, players and fans, the full WIU board opted instead for a three-team model as long-term strategies.
00:54With no immediate contingency, the WIU could face substantial financial penalties if a side were withdrawn before the deadline.
01:04Plans in place to allow Welsh and American side were reportedly blocked by the South African contingent in the URC.
01:11If a replacement is found, Wales could reduce to three teams by the start of the 2027 season, following a two-year notice under the existing professional rugby agreement,
01:22which the Ospreys and Scarletts remain on after declining to sign the new PRA.
01:27The WIU prefers a consensus-driven reduction, ideally via mergers between two sides.
01:33If no agreement is reached, a tender process will determine the outcome.
01:38The planners face criticism from politicians, fans and potential regional benefactors,
01:44while the threat of legal action from any excluded team remains a concern.
01:49Though WIU bosses previously favoured reducing to two sides, all options, including retaining four teams on tiered funding,
01:56while moving to three teams were considered.
01:58Proposed funding models ranged from equal funding of £6.9 million for three sides,
02:05or a two-plus-one set-up with elite sides on £6.9 million,
02:09and development for £5.4 million for other sides in Wales.
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