As the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) game-wide consultation draws to a close, Dave Reddin has spoken about the options open to the Union in terms of the restructuring of the Welsh professional game,

Despite some speculation, Reddin has confirmed that the WRU’s preferred two-region model is ‘still on the table.’

Back in August, Reddin and the WRU presented a 90-page document that outlined the four options on the table for the Union: models A through to D, including keeping four, albeit unequally funded, regions, or going down to two.

Reddin set out that ‘model D+’ is the preferred route forward for the Union, with a national campus built, centralised national academies, and two entirely new clubs.

Since that announcement, the WRU have spent the month of September conducting a game-wide consultation with the various stakeholders involved in Welsh rugby, including the regions, players, fans, and commercial partners.

A public survey into the plans saw more than 7,000 complete the document.

Speaking for the first time since August, Reddin has confirmed that a two-team plan is not off the table.

“Everything’s still on the table and we haven’t made a decision yet,” he said.

Along with the fans, players have been vocal about the imminent upheaval in the professional game, the highest profile of which has been Ospreys and Wales captain Jac Morgan.

Morgan said last week that he has told the WRU that he would leave Welsh rugby if the region took the decision to disband his club, the Ospreys.

“I have spoken to Jac, he is clearly one of our most precious talents,” said Reddin.

“He is somebody we will be desperate to keep in Wales. Jac is an ambitious player and I respect absolutely where he is coming from in respect of the Ospreys.

“What we want to create is a system that turns Welsh players’ heads and says ‘I would love to stay here, almost regardless of what the name on the door says, because it is the best system for me and one I can thrive, win and feel connected to my national identity and where I can help my national team develop’.

“I hope through continued conversations with people like Jac we can build something that is super attractive to him and others so they want to stay.”

Alongside Morgan, the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) has told the Union that its proposals for the game would “drive talent to leave Wales.”

“We’ve heard those voices loud and clear, the players’ voices, we’ve met with players several times now,” added Reddin.

“Their voice is central to this as, as is the fans. It would be easy to say the players don’t like it so it can’t be this, this and this.

“Respectfully, the players are a massively important voice but they are not a uninformed voice. There are different people in that group who have vastly different ambitions and needs from a system. That’s not a homogenous opinion.”

For now, it is a waiting game for Welsh fans, players, and clubs, until the WRU announces it’s final plans by the end of October.

While the option will be announced by 31 October, Reddin says the exact details might not be agreed, especially if professional sides are cut with the process set to drag on.

All that we do know, is that what the WRU and Reddin do announce will cause seismic changes to the very essence of Welsh rugby.

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