Swansea RFC has accused rugby bosses of failing to inform the club about a suggestion that the Ospreys could “merge” with the Whites after the 2026/27 season and compete as a semi‑professional side in Super Rygbi Cymru. The club says it only learned of the idea when Swansea Council publicly revealed it had been raised during talks with Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney and Ospreys chair Lance Bradley.
The Whites said the proposal was “deeply alarming” and insisted they were unanimously opposed to any plan that would see professional rugby disappear from Swansea.
Shock and anger over proposal
In a strongly worded statement, the club said it had never been told of any such plan before Swansea Council’s announcement. The timing has added to the sense of disbelief, with the 2026/27 season marking 150 years of Swansea RFC calling St Helen’s home.
The club is currently playing at Dunvant RFC while St Helen’s undergoes a major redevelopment backed by Swansea Council. The project was intended to deliver a modern, shared facility for both Swansea RFC and the Ospreys. The Whites say any move to scrap professional rugby in the city would undermine the entire purpose of the redevelopment and place the future of the sport in the region “in serious doubt”.
Public anger spills over at Brangwyn Hall
Board members attended Wednesday night’s packed public meeting at Brangwyn Hall, where hundreds of supporters demanded clarity over the Ospreys’ future. The club said the strength of feeling was “clear” and backed Swansea Council’s efforts — including the threat of legal action — to safeguard professional rugby at St Helen’s.
The Whites also expressed support for Ospreys players and staff, who they said were continuing to work “tirelessly” despite the uncertainty surrounding the region.
Swansea RFC Statement – 5 February 2026
The Board of Swansea RFC notes with serious concern the contents of Swansea Council’s statement issued on Wednesday 4 February, following its meeting with Abi Tierney (Welsh Rugby Union) and Lance Bradley (Ospreys).
The reported suggestion that the Ospreys could “merge” with Swansea following the 2026/27 season to play as a semi professional team in Super Rygbi Cymru is deeply alarming and would indicate the end of the professional game here.
To be absolutely clear, this is the first time the Board has been made aware of any such proposal. We are unanimous in our opposition to the suggestion.
Swansea RFC has a proud and distinguished history dating back to 1872. The 2026/27 season will mark 150 years of the club calling St Helen’s home.
Having temporarily relocated to Dunvant RFC this season to enable the redevelopment of St Helen’s, everyone connected with the club has been eagerly anticipating a return home. The redevelopment, supported by Swansea Council, would deliver a shared, community-focused facility for both Swansea RFC and the Ospreys.
Any proposal that suggests more than 150 years of history can be so easily dispensed with is deeply flawed and would be devastating for the club, its supporters, and the wider community. It is indicative of a clear lack of understanding of, and empathy with, the rugby culture in Wales. It also places the future of professional rugby in the region in serious doubt.
The Board remains committed to protecting the legacy of all those who have gone before us and to securing a strong future for the All Whites.
Board members attended the public meeting at Brangwyn Hall on Wednesday evening, where the strength of public feeling was clear. We fully support Swansea Council’s efforts to safeguard professional rugby at St Helen’s and to deliver a long-term solution that benefits the whole community. Likewise, we stand behind the Ospreys players and staff who continue to work tirelessly in such difficult circumstances.
Rugby in Wales is at a crossroads. We urge the WRU to reconsider the direction they are going in.
A crisis engulfing Welsh rugby
The row has become the latest flashpoint in a saga that has dominated Welsh rugby for weeks. The WRU has already disputed Swansea Council’s earlier claims, while the Ospreys insist no final decision has been made about the club’s future. Political pressure is mounting, with Plaid Cymru calling for Welsh Government intervention and supporters’ groups from the Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff uniting to launch a petition against the WRU’s restructure.
Swansea councillors have delivered a dramatic cross‑party show of support for the region, and former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has warned that the WRU’s proposals risk creating a “rugby black hole” across Swansea Bay. With tensions rising and legal threats on the table, the battle over the Ospreys’ future has become one of the most explosive sporting rows Wales has seen in years.
