1 month ago
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Image source, BBC Sport
The Welsh Rugby Union insists cutting the number of professional clubs from four to two is the "radical step" needed to save the game in Wales.
The governing body has unveiled its controversial plan for the future of the elite game that puts Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets at risk.
Among four models being considered is the "optimal choice" of halving the number of professional teams, but with no detail on where they would play.
"We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team," said chief executive Abi Tierney.
"Not everyone is going to be happy but I don't think carrying on as we are is the right thing for fans either.
"We had to do something radically different to get us to a better place and that everyone can get behind and we hope people will step out of their corner."
The options for professional clubs are:
Four clubs with unequal funding.
Three clubs with equal funding.
Three clubs with unequal funding.
Two clubs with equal funding.
The WRU has not indicated their preferred locations for clubs or names and insist no decision has yet been made.
The timescale for any changes will be dictated by their chosen option.
A consultation period will begin on 1 September before a recommendation sent to in mid-October to the WRU board to make a final decision that month.
But the proposal is set to be met with fierce opposition from three of the regions while Cardiff are currently owned by the Union since the rescue in April.
Ospreys have already announced plans to redevelop St Helen's in Swansea for the 2026-27 season while the Scarlets unveiled new proposed investors earlier this month.
Dragons' owners stated earlier this week that elite rugby must continue in Gwent.
"We are clear that the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs," said Tierney.
"That's why we're inviting views on the opportunities for change we've put forward."
