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7h ago

WRU Sets Out Plan to Cut Professional Regions From Four to Two

A six-week consultation will test a licensed two-team model centered on larger squads, higher budgets and a national training campus.

Image
@WelshRugbyUnion/X
Cardiff and Ospreys in action — two of the four regional sides, along with Dragons and Scarlets that were created in 2003
Hawkins, who moved from Exeter Chiefs to Scarlets in March, says the proposals would result in top players moving to England

Overview

  • The WRU published a 90-page consultation document and said the current four-team funding model is not sustainable.
  • Its preferred option would license two men’s and two women’s teams, with owners or investors taking responsibility for commercial operations.
  • Reported details include men’s squads of 50 predominantly Welsh-qualified players with about £7.8m per team, and women’s squads of 40.
  • The plan proposes a national performance campus, with an initial two-site transition before centralising training and support staff.
  • Stakeholders have six weeks to respond before an end-of-October decision, with potential legal challenges, player briefings and strong regional opposition already in play.