WRU confirm ‘landmark decision’ to cut one region by 2028
Ospreys and Scarlets are seen as two most under threat compared to Cardiff and Dragons, inset
Wales will go from four to three professional teams in 2028 after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) finally revealed its plan to deliver long-term success.
There were fears when the extensive consultation and engagement programme was announced that it would result in the WRU bluntly going from four to just two regions.
However, it was confirmed on Friday that only one of the existing four – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – would be consigned to the scrapheap.
The devil in the detail released by the WRU suggested that either Ospreys or Scarlets would fold or the two could amalgamate, as just a single professional licence has been set aside for rugby in west Wales.
“We have listened and we agree…”
The other two licences will go to the capital and to east Wales, suggesting the futures for Cardiff and Dragons will be secure if negotiations run smoothly.
However, if a consensus doesn’t materialise with the existing four clubs, the WRU have committed to “run a fair and transparent tendering process for the three licences”.
Once the cut from four to three has taken place, the WRU have promised equal funding for the three team squads starting at £6.4million and rising to £7.8m per year. It was also confirmed that all existing player contracts will be honoured.
A statement read: “The Welsh Rugby Union have announced a landmark decision on the future of elite rugby in Wales, following one of the most extensive consultations ever undertaken in Welsh sport.
“The WRU board unanimously agreed to implement a new whole-system approach to elite rugby, designed to deliver long-term success through rugby alignment across all levels of the game and financial sustainability.
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“The decision is the conclusion of an extensive consultation and engagement programme. There were more than 7,000 responses to the public engagement and over 31 face-to-face meetings took place throughout September with key stakeholders across the game.”
Richard Collier-Keywood, chair of the WRU board, told a press conference at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium: “We have heard loud and clear from the consultation that people want a long-term fix and not a short-term patch. We have listened and we agree.
“The WRU confirmed that it proposes to grant three licences for men’s clubs; one for the capital, one for west Wales and one for east Wales. There will be equal funding for the three team squads starting at £6.4m and rising to £7.8m per annum.
“This decision reflects the need to concentrate talent, improve competitiveness, and ensure financial sustainability. Any change is difficult, and we have current contractual obligations to the URC and our professional clubs that we will honour in the absence of new agreements.
“We want to involve the URC and the owners and managers of the current clubs in how we get to our chosen destination. This may take some time, but we will work hard to get this done as quickly as possible.
“If, however, it ultimately proves impossible to reach a consensus on how this change will happen, then the WRU will run a fair and transparent tendering process for the three licences. We have already guaranteed that all existing player contracts will be honoured.”
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The WRU statement also confirmed additional investment of £40m across five years in Welsh rugby from the elite level to the pathways. £28m of this will go into:
- Improved coaching and education;
- Men’s national academy with two regional training centres;
- 12 men’s player development centres, a women’s national academy;
- Three women’s player development centres with nine satellite locations;
- Additional investment in Super Rygbi Cymru and Celtic Challenge teams;
- New talent and insight management department which will manage talent identification, recruitment, retention and development across both men’s and women’s rugby.
Collier-Keywood added: “Our intention is that we will work closely with the owners under a new licence agreement that will see them retaining overall control of the clubs and their commercial activity, whilst the rugby operations and the funding for this will be the responsibility of the WRU.
“The details of this will be worked out with the clubs, but our desire is to align to improve the performance of both the national teams and the professional clubs.
“We have carried out an analysis of population demographics, community club distribution, registered community player numbers and potential future rugby players, coaches, university and school locations and physical rugby infrastructure across Wales.
“The geographical distribution of licences for the three future clubs in this new model will need to take into account these factors. Our view is that this will lead to licences being issued with one in the capital, one in the west and one in the east.
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“Many of these investments will benefit players coming through over the next few years. We want Wales to be an attractive place for them to play and for fans to see attractive rugby. Please support our teams as we rebuild the system together.”
Dave Reddin, the WRU director of rugby and elite performance, said: “This new system has been built from the ground up to drive success with every part aligned and every decision designed to raise standards, restore the DNA of Welsh rugby and deliver the step forward in performance that everyone in Welsh rugby craves.
“As a result of the consultation, it has moved on for good reason from the original two-club model proposed. The consultation confirmed that change is needed, and this model focuses investment where it makes the biggest difference on the pitch. But we also heard the concerns of players and the deep passion for the heritage of our teams.”
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