The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced it has started the process for a major restructuring of the Welsh professional game for the 2027/28 season.

The initial process, conducted between the WRU, the four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets – and other key stakeholders will take place this autumn with the WRU board expected to approve the new strategy and structure in October.

There will be a consultation process that takes place over August and September, with a ‘comprehensive engagement programme’ set up for all members of the Welsh rugby ecosystem to be able to contribute.

Key potential developments include:

• whether there should be a reduction to three or two regional men’s teams, to ensure that we have teams that can compete at the top of the professional game
• regions being home to both our men’s and women’s teams
• further investment in Super Rygbi Cymru to strengthen the semi-professional game in Wales
• a significant investment in player development and pathways and a national centre providing a place of development for elite players, coaches and support staff
• a new funding model to ensure that the new model is financially sustainable and that teams are long term investable propositions in partnership with the WRU.

The WRU has reiterated its position that it does not think that the current system of four, equally funded, regions in the senior men’s game can continue, with the likely result being a reduction to two or three clubs.

The statement reads: “The current rugby system in Wales, which includes national teams, professional clubs, community clubs, academies, universities and schools isn’t delivering consistent success on the field and isn’t currently financially sustainable given the likely investment required, even with the recent actions taken to increase financial resources.

“Based on its extensive work over the past 18-months, including ongoing consultation with the four professional men’s clubs, the WRU is therefore considering a more radical strategy focused on maximising investment and reforming the whole structure of professional rugby in Wales (amongst other options).

“The changes would be aimed at boosting Welsh rugby as a whole: the academies, the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) and Celtic Challenge competitions (men’s and women’s semi-pro game), professional clubs and the national teams for both men and women.”

The WRU has acknowledged that:

• Welsh rugby has experienced a deterioration in performance on and off the field and, statistically, has just had its worst season ever in its senior men’s game.
• All stakeholders want Welsh rugby to be successful at all levels of the game.
• Stakeholders understandably have different perspectives and must prioritise their own interests by default.

On the pitch, Wales men recently ended their 18-game losing streak, but have been below standard on the pitch for a number of years, while the women’s senior side have collected the Wooden Spoon in the last two Six Nations campaigns.

Wales have only contributed one player to the ongoing British and Irish Lions tour – only Jac Morgan remains after Tomos Williams’ injury – while the regional side have struggled to reach the United Rugby Championship play-offs in recent seasons, occupying the bottom half of the table.

The Union have confirmed that the process will be ready for board approval and ‘confirmation to all stakeholders’ by October this year.

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