Welsh regions ‘relieved and encouraged’ despite WRU cut plan

Ospreys remained optimistic about their future despite hearing details about Welsh rugby bosses’ plans to cut one of the four Welsh regional teams by 2027. Cardiff claim to be “relieved,” Dragons are “encouraged,” and Scarlets are “confident.”

The remaining three teams will have one base in the east, one in Cardiff, and one in the west, according to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The current four teams are currently in danger of disappearing, but Cardiff and Dragons appear to be in pole position with Ospreys and Scarlets facing off in the west, with no mention of which team has ever been in that region.

However, WRU President Richard Collier-Keywood resisted after the announcement on Friday that West Wales would have only one professional side in the future.

The team’s position is improved as a result of the team’s position, which is currently fourth in the United Rugby Championship (URC), while Ospreys (13th), Scarlets (15th), and Dragons (16th) are currently fourth in the standings of the 16-strong group.

One of the three teams will be in Cardiff, according to Cardiff’s statement. This gives us relief and encouragement.

We are confident in our position and viability as a club, and our only priority will always be to keep Cardiff Rugby at the Arms Park.

On our follow-up meeting with the Welsh Rugby Union, this will be completely clarified and guaranteed.

During the consultation process that the WRU conducted since August, the Dragons’ record on the pitch has been met with criticism from some fans.

One of those who criticized his former team was ex-Dragons boss Lyn Jones, who claimed the Rodney Parade side had been the region’s weakest team prior to the start of the 2003 season and was the obvious choice to be discarded.

The Dragons’ owners reiterated their commitment to continuing elite rugby in Gwent in a statement released on Friday, with chairman David Wright stating that “the last few months have been difficult and uncertain.”

The Dragons expressed satisfaction that the WRU had accepted the need for world-class rugby to continue in Gwent.

We are encouraged by the recognition of the strength and potential of rugby across Gwent, from the clubs’ deep community roots to the opportunities for young players’ development.

We applaud the commitment to keeping Gwent playing a key role in Welsh rugby’s future by continuing to sustain and advance the game there.

We urge the WRU to consider some of the key issues that still need to be addressed. Clubs must remain in charge of rugby decisions because this will enable a stable domestic model that will aid in the development of a strong national team.

Table positions or previous success have not been suggested as influencing the WRU’s final decision.

However, three teams ultimately have the same goal: to achieve success on the pitch, according to Collier-Keywood, who stated that “our]WRU’s desire is to align to improve performance of both the national teams and the professional clubs.”

Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets, who play in Llanelli, have quick to remind decision-makers that they are the two most successful teams based on a number of factors, despite the possibility that any team could apply for the license to play anywhere.

In the 2026-27 season, Ospreys have already announced plans to redevelop St Helen’s in Swansea as their new home ground, and Scarlets are confident that the club will continue to play a key role in the development of the game in west Wales from its Parc y Scarlets home.

Although former WRU CEO David Moffett quit this week, Scarlets revealed new investors in August.

Ospreys announced their plans for Welsh rugby with meeting with WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin and PRB chair Malcolm Wall on Friday morning.

Ospreys are Wales’ most prosperous region, with more league titles to their name, more players to have won Welsh caps, and more British and Irish Lions tours than any other area, according to a statement from the Ospreys.

We will continue to communicate with the WRU in an effort to achieve a resolution that honors that longstanding custom.

Scarlets compared the team’s accomplishments to Ospreys, noting that they are “an anchor for Welsh language and culture” and also playing at the 15, 400-capacity Parc y Scarlets ground’s “world-class club rugby facility.”

Scarlets expressed their satisfaction in a statement, saying that the WRU had learned from the consultation process that the Welsh language’s brand, cultural identity, heritage, and connection were irreplaceable.

The phrase was continued in the statement: “Rugby must maintain a connection with its people, history, and values. Our game’s soul is derived from that. We want Welsh rugby to be strengthened by reform.

With Scarlets as the future structure, Welsh rugby maintains a reputable brand, first-class facilities for rugby, and a proven talent pipeline.

The WRU has suggested that the three men’s clubs be given three licences, starting at £6.4 million each year and increasing to £7.8 million, along with two women’s elite teams.

In the run-up to a final choice as to which teams would remain by 2027, Collier-Keywood noted that there would be many factors taking into account.

He said, “We have conducted an analysis of population demographics, community club distribution, registered community player numbers, potential future rugby players, coaches, university and school locations, and physical rugby infrastructure across Wales.”

In this new model, these factors will need to be taken into account when the three future clubs’ geographical license distribution is determined.