Reddin drops clearest hint yet that he may be changing his mind after player talks

WELSH Rugby Union director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin has given the biggest indication yet that the view of Welsh rugby players could be changing his mind as he revealed he will be meeting with individual players to discuss plans to cut two regions.

- BEN JAMES Rugby writer [e-mail]

Reddin was speaking at the midway point of the WRU's consultation process, with the governing body currently speaking to a number of stakeholders to decide the best way forward for Welsh rugby.

The 'optimal system' put forward by the WRU would see the number of men's professional teams cut from four to two.

That has been met with pushback, with the Dragons calling for the WRU to change course.

The Welsh Rugby Players Association also came out with a statement saying the players did not support the two-club model.

While offering an update following the midway point of the consultation process, Reddin welcomed the feedback of the players in particular - offering a hint that their views had in someway changed his mind.

"I think it's all shaping my opinion," said Reddin. "I learn something from every meeting I go into.

"The discussions with the head coaches and directors of rugby in each of the regions have been incredibly useful.

"None of those meetings have been combative.

"They've all been really professional and instructive. They've all leant into the problem we're trying to solve here. I've really enjoyed it.

"They have influenced my thinking in a number of areas. I'm not sitting here dogmatically saying what we're put out there is the only way of solving this.

"But what we're engaged in is a respectful level of challenge about what are the right options. I think everyone so far agrees that we can't just fix one bit of this system.