REGION FACING AXE IN NEW PLAN

WELSH rugby is set to cut the number of regions to three amid seismic plans to alter the landscape of the professional game.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

The Welsh Rugby Union yesterday confirmed major change is coming after the proposed new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) failed to be accepted by all four teams.

The WRU has triggered the two-year notice period on the current set-up and said the future will not see four evenly-funded teams.

We understand the WRU has informed the four clubs - Cardiff, the Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - that the number of teams needs to reduce to three, with that process beginning this summer.

How that plays out is far from certain, with two teams merging one potential option that will be explored.

The WRU has neither confirmed nor denied if cutting a team is part of its plans.

As part of the WRU's One Wales strategy, the initial plan was to retain four clubs under a new Professional Rugby Agreement which was meant to lead to increased funding and a refinancing of the debt acquired during Covid.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood have always maintained their desire to retain four clubs - but things have changed dramatically.

Primarily, the WRU’s decision to take ownership of Cardiff Rugby when the capital city club entered administration has altered the landscape significantly.