The Ospreys and Scarlets have responded to the Welsh Rugby Union’s statement
The Ospreys and Scarlets say they are “concerned and disappointed” over the Welsh Rugby Union’s announcement there will no longer be four equally-funded professional clubs in Wales, with the two West Wales sides slamming the Union’s U-turn for creating more “destabilising and debilitating uncertainty” in the Welsh game.
WalesOnline revealed on Saturday night that the WRU has informed the four clubs that the number of teams in Wales needs to reduce to three following the failure of all four teams to agree to its proposed new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA). You can read the story here.
Then, on Sunday morning, the WRU confirmed in a statement, which you can read here, that they had triggered the two-year notice period on the current set-up and said the future landscape will not see four evenly funded teams.
That marked a complete change from the Union’s previous public stance, with CEO Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood having been insistent since taking up their roles that four was the number of teams they wanted to move forward with on an equal funding model.
The seismic development comes after the Ospreys and Scarlets refused to sign the new agreement following the Union’s takeover of Cardiff – with the Dragons having joined the capital club in signing the new PRA.
The reason the Ospreys and Scarlets have chosen not to do so is over fears that the WRU’s takeover of Cardiff would lead to inequality under the new agreement, with those concerns having not been suitably allayed.
After both clubs’ supporters groups insisted they would not be cowed on Sunday, the two rivals have now joined forces with their own robust statement – once again reiterating their calls for more clarity.
“The Ospreys and Scarlets are concerned and disappointed to read the WRU’s statement today (18 May 2025) outlining a sudden change in its strategy of four equally-funded professional clubs in Wales.
“This U-turn has now created more destabilising and debilitating uncertainty in our game, with pertinent questions being asked by stakeholders across our clubs and within our communities regarding the future framework and landscape for professional rugby in Wales.
“The very foundations that both the ‘One Wales’ strategy and new PRA (2025) are based upon have now changed dramatically and without full consultation. This goes back on recent commitments made to the clubs and to Welsh rugby fans.
“The future framework and landscape for professional rugby in Wales matters to us all. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“We would urge the WRU to provide more clarity and detail on the decision, the ‘opportunity’ that it wishes to seize and to inform us what the process will be for a new system and model for Welsh Rugby and how they intend to deliver it.
“We need a unifying position and coherent strategy that allows us to continue to compete and grow as professional clubs in Wales.
“As professional clubs, we share the same passion, focus and hope for a better and more sustainable future for our game in Wales, which has been impacted significantly in recent years.
“We thank all those connected with our two clubs including players and staff, supporters, partners, sponsors and our wider rugby communities for their continued support and patience while we seek to find a sustainable and equitable solution for the future.
“We are key contributors to the success of Welsh rugby and we remain committed to working constructively and collaboratively with the WRU to find solutions that support the game across our country and ensure a level playing field for all.”
Wales’ governing body has activated the two-year notice on the old PRA because it is desperate to refinance its debt.
NatWest view the old agreement as too much of a risk to refinance the debt as any increase in the WRU’s profit has to go to the four professional clubs.
In their statement on Sunday, the WRU said it had not taken the decision lightly and recognised the game is now entering a period of huge uncertainty.
