Four regions safe for now
Reports suggest the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will confirm its long‑term strategy in the coming days, following months of consultation and debate.
The governing body is understood to favour a three‑team model, with one side in the east, one central and one in the west. That would mean Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets continue for now, but one region could be lost before the end of the current United Rugby Championship (URC) cycle in 2028.
From four options to one
Back in August, the WRU put forward four possible futures for the professional game. Two involved cutting to three teams, one with equal funding and one with unequal. Another suggested halving to two sides – described as the “optimal system” – while the fourth kept four teams but with a financial reshuffle.
The two‑team option provoked fierce opposition from players, supporters and politicians, with more than 7,000 people responding to a public survey. Wales captain Jac Morgan warned he would leave the domestic game if Ospreys were axed.
Stakeholder pressure
It is also understood that tournament organisers were reluctant to see an immediate reduction, with the URC keen to maintain four Welsh teams alongside its Irish, Scottish, Italian and South African participants.
The WRU’s current URC commitments run until the end of the 2027‑28 season, meaning any change would align with the next league cycle.
What happens next
While no official statement has yet been published by the WRU, reports indicate the governing body will announce its decision before the end of October.
If confirmed, the plan would provide short‑term stability for all four regions but leave the longer‑term future of professional rugby in Wales uncertain.
