Welsh rugby bosses plan to scrap one side by 2028

Welsh rugby's governing body will announce long-term plans to cut one professional team by 2028 - but will continue to have four in the short term.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had suggested one or two of its professional sides could go, with the prospect of Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets being culled.

The two-team solution was described by the WRU in August as its "optimal system" from four different proposals.

However, after months of consultation, debate and uncertainty, the WRU has opted initially to keep the four sides in the short term and look to reduce that number by one in the next three years.

The WRU has not decided how that process will be judged but hopes for collaboration before looking at a tender system.

Its ambition is to have three equally funded sides, which might not retain their existing branding, with one team in the east, one central and one in the west, where Ospreys and Scarlets are both based with the duo's future now appearing to be most at risk.

Of the quartet of WRU proposals put forward in August, two involved having three men's professional teams, which would have meant culling one side.

One of those would have ensured equal funding between the teams, while the other would have come with unequal funding.

The two other choices would have meant the WRU enacting what it had termed its most "radical step" - halving the number of professional teams, which it has now shied away from - or cutting none and instead rejigging the finances.

It is understood one of the concerns about the immediate removal of one Welsh side was the reluctance of bosses of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and tournament stakeholders to lose one Welsh team playing in the 16-team competition.

The URC also features four teams from Ireland, two from Scotland, two from Italy and four from South Africa.

The model for the continuation of four teams as presented in August would mean two elite sides with a budget of £6.7m, and two developmental sides on £5.2m - though that may be adapted.

The prospect of teams being cut had been be met with fierce opposition from three of the regions. Cardiff have been owned by the WRU since a financial rescue in April.

Ospreys have already announced plans to redevelop St Helen's in Swansea as their new home ground for the 2026-27 season, while Scarlets revealed new proposed investors in August - although former WRU chief executive David Moffett resigned from that US-based company this week.

Dragons' owners also fought their corner, stating elite rugby must continue in Gwent.

The WRU held a month-long consultation in September with players, supporters stakeholders, politicians and the professional sides.

There was overwhelming public opposition to the two-team model, with the governing body knowing it could face legal action or even a player strike if that was voted through.

Wales captain Jac Morgan was so appalled at the prospect of his Ospreys side ceasing to exist he said he would leave Welsh professional domestic rugby should that happen.

New director of rugby and head of elite performance Dave Reddin and his executive team provided the WRU board with details from the consultation and a public survey completed by more than 7,000 people. The WRU promised a decision would be made by the end of October.

A WRU announcement on the status quo should have allowed the waters to calm a little on the often seething cauldron of Welsh rugby.

But there is the prospect the game in Wales could be facing uncertainty as the WRU work out how to drop a side.

Scarlets and Ospreys are also on different funding deals to Cardiff and Dragons, with the two running out at different times.

There could be legal challenges to those facing a cut in funding.

So there is the prospect the game in Wales could be facing uncertainty as the WRU works out how to drop a side.

The WRU's current URC contractual commitments are believed to be until the end of the 2027-2028 season, and as a stakeholder in the league - along with the four other national governing bodies - it can renegotiate terms and conditions.

Surveys have shown a majority of Welsh rugby fans would like the WRU to approach the English clubs to see if there could be an Anglo-Welsh league.

Reddin had stated that option was not on the table and the WRU remains committed to the URC.

So while the present now has greater clarity, the longer-term future of Welsh rugby will still remain uncertain.