WELSH RUGBY UNION DELAYS RESTRUCTURING PLAN DETAILS

The Welsh Rugby Union has postponed the disclosure of how it intends to reduce its professional men's sides from four to three. The governing body stated in April that the reduction would not occur before 2028, following the collapse of a deal with Y11 Sport & Media to purchase Cardiff. The WRU had previously committed to publishing detailed restructuring proposals by the end of June, but now says this information will be released in "coming weeks" as the organisation focuses on appointing a new chair.

The four current professional sides—Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets—have been awaiting clarity on the restructuring process. In October 2025, the WRU proposed eliminating one team and issuing three new licences: one based in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west. Ospreys and Scarlets are understood to be the two sides most at risk of discontinuation as they compete for the western licence. John Manders, a WRU board member, has assumed a temporary vice-chair role whilst the organisation recruits a permanent replacement for outgoing chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

The WRU stated that the recruitment of a new chair will conclude over the summer, with the appointee taking office before the annual general meeting scheduled for November. The board said it continues to work on finalising its plans for the men's professional game whilst safeguarding Welsh rugby's future. Further details regarding the timing and implementation of changes ahead of the 2028 season will be announced in the coming weeks.