Delay in Cardiff Rugby takeover deal

THE Welsh Rugby Union will not conclude a takeover of Cardiff Rugby until after the Six Nations, the WRU has confirmed, writes Sion Barry.

- 

Ospreys take on Cardiff Rugby on New Year's Day

(HUW EVANS AGENCY)

It comes as Swansea Council continues to ratchet up efforts to convince the union to abandon plans to reduce the number of rugby regions from four to three.

The council confirmed on Wednesday that it was seeking a High Court injunction to halt the takeover of Cardiff Rugby - which the union acquired out of administration last year - by the current owners of the Ospreys, Y11 Sports and Media.

The local authority said this was designed to allow discussions to take place while the current four-team regional structure remains in place.

The injunction was scheduled to be heard yesterday.

However, ahead of the hearing, the Welsh Rugby Union gave an undertaking to Swansea Council that it will not conclude any deal with Y11 before March 16, a few days after final weekend of the Six Nations.

In for Swansea

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: “The Welsh Rugby Union has this morning given written confirmation that it will not complete the deal with Y11 to buy Cardiff Rugby prior to March 16. It follows Swansea Council's application for an injunction to pause the deal. The council is now awaiting a date for its injunction application to be heard at the High Court prior to March 16.”

The WRU also confirmed that it has given an assurance that a deal with Y11 for Cardiff will not take place before March 16.