Overview

• The WRU has formally opened a consultation with Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby and Dragons on reducing the four-region structure to three or two teams by the 2027–28 season.
• The two-month consultation beginning in August will involve other stakeholders and aims to deliver recommendations by October.
• The union says the existing setup fails to deliver consistent United Rugby Championship success and is financially unsustainable given the likely investment required.
• Cardiff Rugby’s entry into administration in April after Helford Capital defaulted on funding obligations has intensified calls for structural reform.
• Proposed reforms envisage concentrating resources into fewer regions, boosting player development pathways and establishing a national coaching and support centre.