Wales stars also back three teams

Three Wales internationals have backed the WRU’s decision to move to three teams, while insisting the governing body must follow through on its plan to improve the pathways to the top for younger players.

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Ex-Scarlets, Wales and Lions star Jonathan Davies feels there is only enough talent in the country right now to service three sides, but the game will only thrive if the layers underneath are healthy.

He said on Scrum V: “You look at the player pool that we have and I think we can probably service three good teams, with the talent that we have.

“And it probably is the right decision but the main focus for me should always have been the pathway system and giving that the best chance to provide the best future players for Welsh rugby.

“And I think we have enough talent to have three professional teams. But we need to make sure our academy system is providing competition for those teams to keep pushing and keep raising the bar of this professional game and that's where I think three is probably about right.

“But like I said, there's things underneath they have to be emphasised to let it grow.”

Fellow pundit on Scrum V Richie Rees, a former international, regional player and coach, agreed that three was the right call.

“Personally, three is probably the right number," Rees began.