Axing one rugby region now appears to have been ruled out
WELSH rugby bosses appear to have ruled out the prospect of axing one of the four regions as talks continue over the game’s future in Wales.
A crunch meeting was held last Wednesday when a bombshell report into the way forward for the Welsh game, which included a proposal to get rid one of the pro teams, was up for discussion. The WRUowned Dragons and Ospreys, who do not own their own stadiums, were the sides in the firing line.
The Professional Game Board, on which representatives from all four regions and the WRU sit, met to assess the various recommendations in the report compiled by Oakwell, which assessed the ‘strategic options’ available to improve the sport.
Since details from the report emerged last week, there had been silence from those running the game in Wales. But the
PRB issued a brief statement on Thursday, stressing their commitment that the “four regions continue to play important roles”.
Though the words do not acknowledge the plans to axe a team, they appear to signal the Board’s intent for four regions to remain.
The statement read: “The Professional Rugby Board (PRB) met yesterday, Wednesday, May 11, to continue discussions to further develop its strategy for a sustainable and ultimately successful professional game in Wales. “The PRB is committed to working together to ensure all four regions continue to play important roles in the professional game. We will meet further over the coming weeks to ensure the strategy protects and grows our game and remain committed to communicating further progress to all as soon as appropriate.”
The PRB comprises Alun Jones (Cardiff Rugby), David Buttress (Dragons), Nick Garcia (Ospreys) and Simon Muderack (Scarlets), WRU CEO Steve Phillips, WRU finance director Tim Moss, and two independent members, Malcolm Wall, who is chair, and Marianne Okland.
The ultimate power, however, is with the WRU Board. It would need to rubberstamp any recommendation put forward by the PRB and could choose to go in a different direction of travel.
Earlier last week Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack, pictured left, told supporters that the West Walians were not discussing any mergers or restructuring of the club.
“Crys 16 met with Simon Muderack (Scarlets executive chair) on Monday, May 9, regarding the press articles that have emerged over the last week concerning the future of Welsh Regional Rugby,” read a letter sent to members of the Scarlets supporters’ trust.
“We specifically discussed speculation regarding a potential reduction in the number of professional clubs in Wales and the wider content of the Oakwell Report.
“The Scarlets are currently not discussing any merger, relocation or any other form of restructure of the club.”