Scarlets and Ospreys have said that they are aiming to sign the Professional Rugby Agreement “shortly” after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) offered both the chance to sign the 2025 deal.

Following the collapse of Y11 Media & Sport’s bid to buy Cardiff from the WRU, the Union stated that both clubs – who refused to sign the PRA in back April last year – would be given another opportunity to sign.

Y11 – who currently own Ospreys – added in yesterday’s statement that they intend to sign the deal that runs until 2030.

Despite the length of the deal the WRU did reiterate their plans to reduce the number of regions from four to three by the end of the 2027/28 season.

They have also confirmed that a plan for how this process will take place will be announced in June.

For now, though, both west Walian clubs have said that they are happy to sign the PRA25.

“We will continue to engage constructively with the WRU on its future strategy, with the aim of signing the PRA25 agreement shortly following due diligence,” Scarlets said in a statement.

“The PRA25 update is welcomed as it brings the prospect of increased stability, security and clearer governance over the next two years – with greater clarity and a more equitable framework for the professional game.”

After the WRU announced its intentions to have one team play in the west, there has been a great deal of uncertainty around which, if either, of Ospreys or Scarlets would be the club to survive.

With Y11 previously looking to buy Cardiff, there was speculation about a merger, or even the closing of Ospreys in favour of the capital club.

Despite the WRU framing the recent announcements as ‘clarity’, at least for now, a number of high-profile players are already set to depart Ospreys.

Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan are bound for Gloucester next season, while Adam Beard left for Montpellier last summer.

“There’s no doubt that the uncertainty really prompted those guys to look further afield,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.

“There was no real requirement for them to go elsewhere but they felt, for their careers and stability of their families, they had no choice.

“We have absolutely nothing against those lads because they want to play at the highest level and in a short career you want to be secure in your job to be the best you possibly can.”

Ospreys have managed to resign a number of internationals since the news of their high-profile departures, with Kieran Hardy, Harri Deaves, Dan Edwards, Morgan Morse, and Keelan Giles all staying for next season.

They have also secured the services of winger Tom Rogers from Scarlets.

For both Scarlets and Ospreys, the news that their futures are secure until 2028 is a relief.

“It’s positive news for Welsh rugby in general, not just the Ospreys,” added Jones.

“The outlook is looking a lot more positive over the next couple of seasons. If everything is signed off then we get some security around all areas of the agreement for another season on top of next year.

“That definitely helps around staffing, player recruitment, retention and general morale. It’s a big help for everybody.”

With Cardiff set to host Ospreys at the Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night, the irony of the Y11 situation is not lost on the Ospreys head coach.

“Sometimes [we] have had to deliver not such positive news and you are always worried about how it’s going to affect the group,” he admitted.

“This certainly seems to have affected the group in a positive way if you look at how the training session went in terms of the body language. They look like they’re in a good place off the back of it.”

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