Two-team option is still on the table, says Reddin

DAVE Reddin insists the Welsh Rugby Union's plan to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to two is still on the table and has warned there will be some unhappy people.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

The WRU's formal consultation process has officially finished and there will now be a series of board meetings this week before a final decision on the new structure is made at the end of October.

Many key stakeholders believe the WRU are softening their stance and will try to reduce it to three teams.

That may be the case, but according to Reddin the 'optimal solution' of going down to two professional teams with central control remains on the table.

"It is not off the table yet by any means but neither has it been replaced by something that works better," said the WRU's director of rugby and elite performance.

"I think it's probably the nuance within it.

"So, what we did with the optimal system was we put something out that was pretty bold and provocative to answer the questions as they are now.