Stars demand clarity on their futures amid game turmoil

WALES' players want clarity on their future and have given Welsh rugby bosses a deadline of February 6 to provide it - the day before their Six Nations Championship opener against England.

- By PHIL BLANCHE

The domestic game has been thrown into turmoil by Welsh Rugby Union plans to shelve one of its four men's professional sides - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets.

The Welsh Rugby Players' Association, the organisation that represents Wales' players, met with the Professional Rugby Board on Wednesday after it emerged Ospreys' owners, Y11 Sport and Media, are the WRU's preferred bidder to buy rivals Cardiff.

The capital city club went into administration in April 2025, and Y11's potential buyout could see the end of regional rugby in Swansea and significant job losses.

A statement from the players' body said: "The WRPA sought clear and definitive answers on a number of critical matters, including the proposed transition within the professional structure, the Cardiff Rugby transaction, licensing arrangements and the number of Welsh teams expected to compete in the United Rugby Championship next season.