Welsh Rugby Union reveal 'radical' plan to cut professional teams from four to two - 'Not everyone is going to be happy'
Published 20/08/2025 at 17:56 GMT+1
The Welsh Rugby Union have revealed their "radical" plan to cut the number of professional teams in Wales from four to two in the future. The sport's governing body in Wales announced that two of Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets could be cut after a difficult few years for Welsh rugby both on and off the pitch. Wales' men's international side have only won one of their last 18 matches.
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Chief executive Abi Tierney believes the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to potentially cut the number of professional clubs from four to two is the right decision for the fans.
The sport’s governing body in Wales revealed their "radical" new plans this week, with some models suggesting that two of Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets should be scrapped.
Wales are in the midst of a slump in form that has seen them win just one of their last 18 matches, a 31-22 triumph over Japan in July 2025.
Tierney insists that the current rugby model in Wales is not delivering for the sport or the fans.
"We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team," said Tierney.
"Not everyone is going to be happy but I don't think carrying on as we are is the right thing for fans either.
"We had to do something radically different to get us to a better place and that everyone can get behind, and we hope people will step out of their corner."
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"We are clear that the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs," Tierney continued.
"That's why we're inviting views on the opportunities for change we've put forward.
"All the fans that I speak to, and I speak to a lot, agree that we need to do something radically different.
"We have put a proposal out there to be shot at – please shoot at it, and shoot at it constructively, because I can't remember somebody yet who hasn't said we need to do something different or change."
The WRU has four options under the new proposals, including having four clubs with unequal funding, three clubs with equal funding, three clubs with unequal funding or two clubs with equal funding.
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WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin asked fans to let go of the past and look to the future following the announcement of the plans.
"We have put a clear vision out about where the future could lie," he said.
"We are asking people to let go of the past and the present and imagine a completely different future."
Under their proposed plan, all rugby operations would be funded by the WRU, while private investment would cover any commercial activity.
A campus to act as a base for the two professional teams is also under consideration, with national teams and academies allowed access too.
"The national campus would be a purposeful, collaborative space, a uniquely Welsh environment that other top-tier nations would find difficult to replicate," said Reddin.
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