WRU sharpen the axe in search of ‘sustainability’ as current model fails to ‘deliver success’
A view inside the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The Welsh rugby civil war has escalated even further, with the governing body now considering axing up to two regions as part of a new restructured professional game by the 2027/28 season.
This comes following the dramatic fallout from the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25) earlier this year, which saw the WRU hand notice to both the Ospreys and Scarlets after they refused to sign the new deal.
‘The current system isn’t delivering consistent success’
In a statement, the WRU said: “The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is entering into formal consultation with Wales’ four regional clubs and other key stakeholders which will lead to a restructure in the domestic professional game by season 2027/28, it was announced today.
“The consultation period will take place over August and September with the regional clubs and players being the primary stakeholder groups to contribute, but a comprehensive engagement programme will ensure all representative groups of the game in Wales have the opportunity to contribute.
“The consultation will cover the entire high-performance framework from pathways to professional club structure and the senior men’s and women’s game.
“The WRU Board has already publicly confirmed it does not see the system continuing with the current model of four equally funded regional clubs in the senior men’s game.
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“The current rugby system in Wales, which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn’t delivering consistent success on the field and 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).
“The changes would be aimed at boosting Welsh rugby as a whole: the academies, the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) and Celtic Challenge competitions (men’s and women’s semi-pro game), professional clubs and the national teams for both men and women.
“In order to determine the changes to be made, we will be conducting a comprehensive and transparent consultation process with our key stakeholders. The input and feedback gathered from the consultation process will be invaluable.”
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The WRU also confirmed the full timeline of events: “August – WRU Board approval of strategy for consultation and commencement of formal consultation period. September – Consultation and engagement process. October – WRU Board approval of strategy and confirmation to all stakeholders.”
This statement follows recent reports from both the Daily Mail and Wales Online also suggested that two regions would likely be axed, and although the WRU have not confirmed their exact strategy, it seems increasingly likely that they will swing the axe.
At the time of writing, it would seem that both Ospreys and Scarlets, who were set for an incredible merger back in 2019 as Wales were winning a Six Nations Grand Slam, would be the likely candidates following their refusal to sign the initial PRA25.
Cardiff is also currently owned by the WRU after going into administration, while the Dragons swiftly agreed to the terms of the PRA25.