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"There will no longer be four evenly funded teams, the Welsh Rugby Union has said. WalesOnline understands the WRU's intention is to move to a three-team model."
This has been removed. "One option would be to put the licences out to tender after setting some strict criteria based on things like stadium, facilities, investors and players produced for Wales, among other things." and a statement by the Dragons included.
This I have picked up from the comments.
I think this is a non story sensationalised as breaking . The bank won’t renegotiate the debt on the old agreement. So to refinance they have to give notice on it . I think all the regions knew this and expected it as it was part of the discussions as its finance driven. The options ie down to 3 are just that possible options and it’s being presented as this option as it suits the breaking news and sensational headline. I expect all will sign and all 4 will continue as per WRU have already stated . Also bbc have not picked this up so how much is this really news ?
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 11:48 - May 18 by Whiterockin
The original WoL article has been since edited.
This has been removed. "One option would be to put the licences out to tender after setting some strict criteria based on things like stadium, facilities, investors and players produced for Wales, among other things." and a statement by the Dragons included.
This I have picked up from the comments.
I think this is a non story sensationalised as breaking . The bank won’t renegotiate the debt on the old agreement. So to refinance they have to give notice on it . I think all the regions knew this and expected it as it was part of the discussions as its finance driven. The options ie down to 3 are just that possible options and it’s being presented as this option as it suits the breaking news and sensational headline. I expect all will sign and all 4 will continue as per WRU have already stated . Also bbc have not picked this up so how much is this really news ?
Tha's a good point because we know the WoL produces shoddy journalism and misleading headlines. It wouldn't surprise me though and the 3 teams besides Cardiff shoukd probably be worried because they'll never cut Cardiff.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 13:54 - May 18 with 1063 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 14:37 - May 18 by raynor94
Amazing how many things he gets wrong
Don't get me wrong I want I want the Ospreys to survive and I look forward to watching them at St Helens but to write the Scarlets off is ludicrous. They have fantastic facilities from junior level through to the first 15, a great stadium, wealthy sponsors/backers and provide a steady stream of international players. IMO if any region is to go it should be the Dragons.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:13 - May 18 with 931 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 14:23 - May 18 by Whiterockin
Ospreys average home attendance last season 4,892. Scarlets average home attendance last season 6,935
Does that include season ticket holders, cos on the telly there looks no more than about 2500-3000 for some Ospreys games.
Swansea Indepenent Poster Of The Year 2021. Dr P / Mart66 / Roathie / Parlay / E20/ Duffle was 2nd, but he is deluded and thinks in his little twisted brain that he won. Poor sod. We let him win this year, as he has cried for a whole year. His 14 usernames, bless his cotton socks.
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:30 - May 18 by majorraglan
I think the Ospreys and Scarlets decision not to sign the PRA contract due to concerns about uneven funding levels is completely justified.
If the criteria is based on performance, then the Dragons should get the chop, but we’re talking about the WRU where anything is possible!
With the WRU owning Cardiff I'm hoping they will drop Newport to maximise their income through a larger catchment area, particularly the Gwent valley. You have to feel sorry for the youngsters in the development pathway whoever goes.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:43 - May 18 with 872 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 14:56 - May 18 by Whiterockin
Don't get me wrong I want I want the Ospreys to survive and I look forward to watching them at St Helens but to write the Scarlets off is ludicrous. They have fantastic facilities from junior level through to the first 15, a great stadium, wealthy sponsors/backers and provide a steady stream of international players. IMO if any region is to go it should be the Dragons.
Of course it should be the Dragons, they’ve barely won a handful of games in as many seasons (though they did beat Ospreys for their only win this season). If it’s any other region it will be a travesty but we are talking about the WRU - shambolic organisation with delusions of their standing in the rugby world
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:46 - May 18 with 858 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:43 - May 18 by EagleEye
Of course it should be the Dragons, they’ve barely won a handful of games in as many seasons (though they did beat Ospreys for their only win this season). If it’s any other region it will be a travesty but we are talking about the WRU - shambolic organisation with delusions of their standing in the rugby world
Ospreys, Scarlets and Blues produce far more international players also.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 16:19 - May 18 with 808 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 15:46 - May 18 by Whiterockin
Ospreys, Scarlets and Blues produce far more international players also.
That’s a really good point that the WRU need to recognise. I can’t imagine many boys from west of Cardiff would ever aspire to play for the Dragons. In fact in my lifetime I cannot recall a time when Newport ever had a decent rugby side, possibly the 60s ?
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 18:33 - May 18 with 713 views
It's going to happen listen to this guy. I follow his pod casts and he is spot on about the duplitious WRU Should be Cardiff but that's not going to happen. Unfortunately Dragons who are constantly rubbish or the Ospreys which would be an absolute crime.
[Post edited 18 May 18:37]
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:13 - May 18 with 600 views
"The Ospreys and Scarlets have joined forces in a statement to outline their thoughts.
The statement read: "We are concerned and disappointed to read the WRU 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 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."
The two Welsh regions urged the WRU to provide "more clarity and detail" on the decision.
The statement continued: "We want to know 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 are key contributors to the success of Welsh rugby and 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."
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:13 - May 18 by theloneranger
"The Ospreys and Scarlets have joined forces in a statement to outline their thoughts.
The statement read: "We are concerned and disappointed to read the WRU 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 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."
The two Welsh regions urged the WRU to provide "more clarity and detail" on the decision.
The statement continued: "We want to know 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 are key contributors to the success of Welsh rugby and 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."
I'm not sure that the regions have a leg to stand on to be honest.
The game in Wales simply doesn't attract the day to day support required to maintain professional status. All four require subsidy from the WRU to survive as things stand, and whoever pays the bills calls the shots.
As a team that refused to sign the new deal on offer and, as it stands, don't even have a proper stadium to play in for the next year or two The Ospreys are the obvious choice to be given the chop.
Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:53 - May 18 with 524 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:49 - May 18 by Dr_Winston
I'm not sure that the regions have a leg to stand on to be honest.
The game in Wales simply doesn't attract the day to day support required to maintain professional status. All four require subsidy from the WRU to survive as things stand, and whoever pays the bills calls the shots.
As a team that refused to sign the new deal on offer and, as it stands, don't even have a proper stadium to play in for the next year or two The Ospreys are the obvious choice to be given the chop.
Ospreys intend for filling their fixtures this year at the Swansea.com then 2026 at St Helens .The most successful region since the introduction of the regions so with that in mind I do hope its the Dragons (who ? ) that have the plug pulled.
"In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master."
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 22:02 - May 18 with 498 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:53 - May 18 by Boundy
Ospreys intend for filling their fixtures this year at the Swansea.com then 2026 at St Helens .The most successful region since the introduction of the regions so with that in mind I do hope its the Dragons (who ? ) that have the plug pulled.
Their own website says that they're moving for the 25/26 season. They're unlikely to be playing at the Swans ground again.
Cardiff will survive because the WRU owns them. Llanelli and Dragons both own their own grounds. Any investment that the Ospreys had planned for St Helens is probably not going to get off the ground now.
Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 22:40 - May 18 with 457 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 22:02 - May 18 by Dr_Winston
Their own website says that they're moving for the 25/26 season. They're unlikely to be playing at the Swans ground again.
Cardiff will survive because the WRU owns them. Llanelli and Dragons both own their own grounds. Any investment that the Ospreys had planned for St Helens is probably not going to get off the ground now.
So Chat GPT says …
Dragons RFC The WRU previously owned the Dragons outright from 2017 to 2023. In 2023, the club returned to private ownership under a consortium led by David Buttress, marking a significant shift in governance.
Cardiff Rugby In early 2025, Cardiff Rugby faced a financial crisis and entered administration. The WRU stepped in to assume control, ensuring the club's survival and honoring existing contracts.
Ospreys and Scarlets Both teams are privately owned but have been in discussions with the WRU regarding debt relief. Reports indicate that the WRU is prepared to clear a significant portion of their debts in exchange for a 20% stake in each club. These talks are ongoing, with the WRU aiming to secure the financial future of regional rugby in Wales. Ospreys have a new stadium pending.
The 4 regions equally funded model appears to have ripped up today.
As Cardiff went bust in 2025 then its obvious they should go. WRU should not have bailed them out if they intended to go to a 3 team model. Thats just business.
The fact the WRU appears to have acted to protect Cardiff at the expense of the other regions shirley leaves them wide open to a legal challenge. Have they been honest ?
WRU in Jan 2025 ….
‘For absolute clarity this means a new deal with all four current regional clubs which will increase finances and other supporting factors to levels which will enable continued success and sustainability long into the future and by 2029’.
The WRU are indeed the ‘village idiots’ of world rugby.
Beware of the Risen People
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 03:15 - May 19 with 362 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 22:02 - May 18 by Dr_Winston
Their own website says that they're moving for the 25/26 season. They're unlikely to be playing at the Swans ground again.
Cardiff will survive because the WRU owns them. Llanelli and Dragons both own their own grounds. Any investment that the Ospreys had planned for St Helens is probably not going to get off the ground now.
Newport are now owned by private investors I think…plus Newport FC lease the ground? After being in WRU ownership until recently I’ve no doubt a deal has been cut for survival subsidy guarantees.
Cardiff….well not much more can be said there. Immune to any financial shenanigans currently being discussed.
Llanelli….in debt to Carmarthen Council I believe to the tune of a few million? Survival is precarious
Ospreys….will they now receive funding from Swansea Council for the move to St Helens? Business decisions need reviewing there. However, weren’t the Ospreys rumoured to be in discussions with an English RFC last year regarding a merger? Denied I think….but who knows.
I stand to be corrected with the above….but I don’t think professional rugby in Wales has much of a future now due to 10 years plus of WRU corporate slaughter of the national game. However we will soon have a lovely array of solar panels and upgrades to bring the National Stadium into a world class concert venue. Thanks Abbie.
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Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 21:36 - May 19 with 44 views
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development ... on 14:37 - May 18 by raynor94
Amazing how many things he gets wrong
Both average crowds ars frankly pathetic. Neither can survive long term on crowds like that. I am fully aware that Sgarlets got better crowds than Ospreys.
My comment related to potential crowds and its relationship to new young fans in big cities. Swansea is over 5 times bigger than Llanelli. If one is going it will not be the one in Swansea.
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