Irish lesson shows folly of plan to axe the Ospreys

WELSH Rugby Union chiefs have been urged to learn lessons from their Irish counterparts and scrap plans to cut the number of professional teams.

- LIAM SULLIVAN

The WRU appears determined to press ahead with its deeply unpopular proposal to reduce the number of men’s pro sides from four to three.

The Ospreys - the most successful Welsh team in the regional era - are most at risk of the axe.

But Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart says the governing body should look to events in Irish rugby two decades ago - when Connacht teetered on the brink - to realise how unwise such a decision would be.

In the early 2000s Connacht were faced with extinction.

The Irish Rugby Football Union, grappling with the early days of professionalism, decided it needed to cut costs and was ready to wipe the Galway-based club from the professional landscape.

But fans and politicians protested, with a march through the streets of Dublin a pivotal moment as the IRFU instead decided to invest in its product rather than look towards making drastic savings.

As a result of its bold call, Connacht grew as a successful side and enjoyed the biggest day in their history when they were crowned PRO12 champions in 2016.