‘Clueless’ WRU blasted over shake-up proposals for regional rugby teams

LLANELLI mayor, Cllr Andrew Bragoli, has blasted the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) proposed shakeup of regional rugby which threatens the existence of the town’s Scarlets.

- IAN LEWIS

Cllr Bragoli, a lifelong Scarlets supporter, claims the WRU is “clueless” over the controversial plans.

Councillors in the town have already claimed that the regional rugby side’s multi-million pound contribution to the local economy and cultural significance, means the Scarlets must survive the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) restructuring plans.

The proposed first-choice plan is to halve the number of professional teams from four to two. As a result, the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons, all face an anxious wait.

The WRU's consultation process ended on Tuesday this week, amid growing indications the WRU was moving away from its two-teams proposal in the face of strong opposition.

It now appears that a three-team model, with one side on lesser funding, is the most likely outcome.

A final decision on the future of the regions is then expected in October.