Welsh rugby bosses plan to scrap one side by 2028

By 2027, Welsh rugby’s governing body has announced that it will cut one professional team.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) stated that it would continue to provide funding for all four of its regions.

Deals exist between Cardiff and Dragons until 2028, and Ospreys and Scarlets until 2028.

However, the WRU plans to “as soon as possible” reduce the number of teams receiving funding to just three, possibly by the end of the regular season in 2026-27.

The three teams will receive annual funding of £6.4 million, rising to £7.8 million, with one based in the east, one in Cardiff, and one in the west.

Only three professional teams can compete or remain viable due to the pool of talent and finances, according to the WRU.

The WRU claimed at the start that the most effective professional teams were just two, but that it had also taken into account the opinions of players, coaches, supporters, and other interested parties during the consultation process.

Scarlets revealed new potential investors in August, despite former WRU chief executive David Moffett’s resignation from that US-based company this week, while St Helen’s in Swansea has already been announced as their new home ground for the 2026-27 season.

Owners of the Dragons fought for their position, calling for Gwent to continue elite rugby.

The two-team model was met with overwhelming public opposition in September, as well as the threat of legal action or even a player strike if that was approved by more than 7, 000 people.

The announcement from today will not help to calm the frequently erupting cauldron of Welsh rugby, particularly in west Wales.

Only one of the three upcoming Welsh teams, according to the WRU, will be based in the west, close to Ospreys (Swansea) and Scarlets (Llanelli) respectively.

After refusing to sign the new participation agreement earlier this year, Scarlets and Ospreys are now funded by a previous funding agreement that is only worth £4.5 million annually until 2027.

The governing body still believes that the teams could combine, but they would instead start a tender process.

Even so, it’s unlikely that one of those teams, with headquarters in Cardiff or East Wales, will submit an application for the license.

The league would need to change the number of regions competing because the WRU is a stakeholder in the URC, along with the four other national governing bodies.

A majority of Welsh rugby fans would like the WRU to approach English clubs to inquire about the possibility of an Anglo-Welsh league, according to surveys.

The option was not on the table, according to Dave Reddin, the head of rugby and performance at WRU, and the organization is still committed to the URC.