Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels has moved to dismiss any suggestion of a merger with rivals Ospreys, insisting there is currently no such proposal on the table, despite the uncertainty hanging over both regions’ futures.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have set out plans to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three by 2028, with Cardiff and Dragons already confirmed to be set to receive licences for the Central and East teams, respectively.

That announcement has left both Scarlets and Ospreys facing an uncertain future, with only one of the two west Wales sides expected to be handed the remaining licence, inevitably reviving talk of a possible merger, a move that came close to happening before being scrapped back in 2019.

But Daniels was quick to shut that down as a live option at this stage.

“There is currently no merger proposal on the table, so no, that is not an active discussion,” Daniels told WalesOnline.

“Before we enter that phase of things, we have to collectively understand why we have to go from four to three [teams] in the first place.”

The WRU has confirmed that the process to determine the framework for a final decision will begin in December, with the matter set to be resolved before the end of the 2026-27 season.

Daniels, however, believes there remains a case for keeping all four Welsh regions intact, and has called for greater transparency from the governing body over its reasoning for cutting a team from the west.

“From a club perspective, we feel that the decision, and the justification, for moving from four to three needs more work,” Daniels added.

“I understand that there is data which has been used to come up with this decision. It hasn’t been shared. We will really call for transparency in that discussion.

“These are decisions that are going to have a long-lasting effect, not just on rugby, but on communities in west Wales. I think that needs a proper airing publicly.”

He continued: “Our position is that before you can come out and make statements which have such an impact on people in Wales, I still feel there is a discussion and justification needed for the move to reduce the number of teams.

“Welsh rugby should be able to accommodate four teams, just as they do in Ireland and other countries.

“If there is data and evidence that we can’t, then let’s have the discussion about how you reduce the number of teams.

“Even then, I think we would struggle to see how that should be isolated to the west and not be a broader Welsh rugby challenge to face.”

Despite the cloud hanging over the club, Daniels is adamant it’s Scarlets’ responsibility to make sure the off-field uncertainty doesn’t seep into performances on the pitch.

If anything, he believes the WRU’s current stance ought to bring the region closer together, and wants to see players, staff and supporters alike rallying behind the cause.

“What we can control is how we prepare for this coming season, and we can show, both on and off the field, why Scarlets is such an integral part of Welsh rugby,” Daniels asserted.

“The history, the heritage, the Welsh language, and also the facilities such as Parc y Scarlets. [We must] continue to develop Welsh international players as we always have done.

“If this continues, and this is how it will be, we are facing a battle. We have to be up for the fight.

“Our message is that we are here and we aim to stay here, continuing to play a key role in Welsh rugby.

“We are going to fight, and we want them [supporters] to fight with us.”

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