Cutting two of Wales' four pro clubs is WRU's 'optimal' choice

The Welsh Rugby Union insists cutting the number of professional clubs from four to two is the "radical step" needed to save the game in Wales.

The governing body has unveiled its controversial plan for the future of the elite game that puts Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets at risk.

Among four models being considered is the "optimal choice" of halving the number of professional teams, but with no detail on where they would play.

"We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team," said chief executive Abi Tierney.

"Not everyone is going to be happy but I don't think carrying on as we are is the right thing for fans either.

"We had to do something radically different to get us to a better place and that everyone can get behind and we hope people will step out of their corner."

The options for professional clubs are:

The WRU has not indicated their preferred locations for clubs or names and insist no decision has yet been made.

The timescale for any changes will be dictated by their chosen option.

A consultation period will begin on 1 September before a recommendation sent to in mid-October to the WRU board to make a final decision that month.

But the proposal is set to be met with fierce opposition from three of the regions while Cardiff are currently owned by the Union since the rescue in April.

Ospreys have already announced plans to redevelop St Helen's in Swansea for the 2026-27 season while the Scarlets unveiled new proposed investors earlier this month.

Dragons' owners stated earlier this week that elite rugby must continue in Gwent.

"We are clear that the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs," said Tierney.

"That's why we're inviting views on the opportunities for change we've put forward."

The WRU has put three other proposals forward in addition to their "optimal solution."

Model A is four clubs with unequal funding – two elite sides with a budget of £6.7m and two developmental clubs on £5.2m.

Models B and C would see four cut down to three, with B featuring equal funding of £6.9m and C having two elite clubs on £6.9m and a development side on £5.4m.

The preferred Model D would give the two clubs a playing budget of around £7.8m and increased squad sizes of 50 senior players, plus academy talent.

"We have put a clear vision out about where the future could lie," said WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin.

"We are asking people to let go of the past and the present and imagine a completely different future."

The new models would involve the WRU funding all rugby operations with private investors having responsibility for commercial operations.

The WRU also has the long-term ambition of building a national campus that would be the base for the two professional teams under their optimal system, plus the national teams and academies.

"The national campus would be a purposeful, collaborative space, a uniquely Welsh environment that other top-tier nations would find difficult to replicate," said Reddin.

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