- Welsh rugby looks set to cut its number of professional teams from four to two
- The Welsh Rugby Union is consulting with the sides over a ‘radical strategy’
- Changes will represent the most defining period in Wales since professionalism
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed its intention to finalise a ‘radical strategy’ to improve the country’s ailing game by October – one which is likely to result in the governing body cutting its number of domestic teams from four to two.
Last week, MailSport reported that uncertainty over how Welsh rugby would look moving forward has left the game’s stakeholders, headed up by the players, frustrated.
On Monday, the WRU admitted: ‘Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst ever season in its senior men’s game.’
It added: ‘The current rugby system in Wales isn’t currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources. Based on its extensive work over the past 18 months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men’s clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales (amongst other options).’
Wales currently has four club sides – Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets. But, while the WRU hasn’t explicitly said so, the direction of travel is for that to be cut to two moving forward.
The WRU has said formal consultation with its existing clubs, the players and other relevant bodies will take place during August and September.
They will then officially confirm its next steps in October following board approval.
As such, the next three months represent the most significant period in the history of Welsh rugby since the game went professional in 1995 and Wales soon abolished its traditional clubs to move to a regional structure.
The upcoming consultation is sure to be complex, with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood driving it.
Both the Newport-based Dragons and Cardiff signed up to the WRU’s contract proposal of how Welsh rugby would be run moving forwards.
The Ospreys, in Swansea, and the Scarlets, in Llanelli, did not do so.
They say that decision was based on concerns over equal and fair funding in the future after the WRU took over Cardiff following their fall into administration.
The WRU responded by saying there would not be equal funding for four regions in the future, placing the future of the Ospreys and Scarlets into doubt.
With all four regions and the Welsh Rugby Players Association set to be involved in the discussions, it is unlikely a swift resolution will be found. No professional team, which is an independent business, would support them being put out of existence.
After all, turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
It is likely any side at risk may launch legal action against the WRU in response.
Cutting two teams would almost certainly result in not only player, but backroom staff job losses. However, the WRU is right in saying drastic change is needed.
The proposed shake-up comes after Wales’ senior men’s side suffered nine defeats in 10 games this season, a run that included a record losing sequence of 18 Test matches. That sequence only ended at the weekend with a 31-22 victory over Japan.
Wales’ senior women’s team has also struggled badly, following their male compatriots by finishing bottom of the 2025 Six Nations without a win.
The WRU’s proposed changes also include significant alterations to how the men’s and women’s games will be run as well as at the semi-professional and academy levels.
But the proposed reduction in the number of clubs is, understandably, the headline news. The WRU said the consultation will be ‘comprehensive and transparent’ and ‘will lead to a restructure in the domestic professional game by season 2027/28.’
Cutting a team or two before that time cannot happen due to contractual reasons.
Meanwhile, MailSport understands that former Cardiff chief executive Richard Holland has taken up a role with the WRU. Holland was in charge of Cardiff when the club entered administration in April.
The WRU immediately took over, taking on Cardiff’s debt and employing all its staff and players. Holland stepped away from his role then.
He won’t be returning to his past job but during what is understood to be a long notice period, he will be ‘supporting the WRU where he is working on a number of projects.’
Alongside the future of its clubs, the WRU continues to search for a new permanent men’s senior coach with an announcement on that front expected soon.
The first meeting of the WRU and the regions since Monday’s announcement is set to take place on Wednesday when Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board sits down.
