SCARLETS COLD ON MERGER TALK

NEW Scarlets backers House of Luxury insists a merger with the Ospreys is not being considered.

- STEFFAN THOMAS Rugby Correspondent

HOL hope to acquire a 55 per cent shareholding in the Scarlets over time and have taken charge of off-field operations at the club.

They arrive in Welsh rugby at its most turbulent point since the inception of the regions in 2003, with the Welsh Rugby Union likely to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three or even two.

If the WRU decide to go with two professional sides, it is highly likely there will only be room for one side in West Wales, making an Ospreys-Scarlets merger a potential option.