Concerned fans march ahead of Dragons-Ospreys clash

Dragons fans were joined by Ospreys supporters on their march to Rodney Parade in protest at the WRU's proposals, before the two sides faced each other in the United Rugby Championship

Dozens of rugby fans have marched in Newport in protest at the Welsh Rugby Union's plans to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three.

The plan, unveiled on Friday, proposes one team each for Cardiff, west, and east Wales, avoiding the more drastic option of only retaining two clubs.

Though it's prompted relief among some fans, many Dragons and Ospreys fans arriving at Rodney Parade for their derby match on Saturday still have "huge concerns".

It comes after WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood admitted that merging two clubs would not be "the easiest thing" to do, but there were "other possibilities".

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales on Saturday, Mr Collier-Keywood admitted that a merger would solve a lot of headaches for the WRU.

"One possibility is that the Ospreys and Scarlets could come together to form one combined team," he said.

"However, I understand there is a lot of history there, a lot of rivalry, so I can't imagine that's the easiest thing in the world to happen.

"But there are other possibilities as well. We have said that each of the licenses is available for any of the teams to bid for, and of course, we're hoping for a consensual solution at the end of this."

Dan Hallett, chair of Dragons Official Supporters' Club, says questions remain about the level of WRU oversight over any future professional entities

Dragons fans concerned about the future of their region had already organised a protest ahead of their clash with the Ospreys on Saturday, before the WRU announcement was made.

But although news of a future team in east Wales had put some fans' minds at ease, others say questions remain about what that might look like.

"We still have huge concerns, the process itself was massively flawed," said Dan Hallett, chair of Dragons Official Supporters' Club.

"There's still not enough detail in what the WRU have released so far, we'd like to see more about this licensing process.

"There still seems to be this desire by the WRU to centrally control all rugby aspects, which concern me massively – they haven't exactly got the best track record on that."

Ospreys fans Gareth and Kathryn Roper say they fear for their club's future following the announcement that only one side will be based in west Wales

Stephen Morris, 64, was also among the dozens of Dragons fans who gathered in the city centre for the march.

"When we spoke to the WRU we were battling very hard for a four-team solution, and we still think that's the way forward," he said.

They were joined by some supporters of the Ospreys – historically, Wales' most successful club of the professional era with four league titles since 2005.

Fans of the Swansea-based region now fear being forced to merge with the Scarlets, or cease to exist altogether, given the intention to have only one side in west Wales.

"We have absolutely been screwed," said Gareth Roper, 72, from Porthcawl.

"My only hope as an Ospreys supporter is, if Llanelli is chosen, that the Ospreys join the English Premiership, and we'll go to Bristol, Gloucester and Exeter to watch them."

Kathryn Roper, 71, added: "I feel sorry for all the fans, not just the Ospreys fans, because we've all been in turmoil for God knows how many years.

"How many times have they said the Ospreys will be merged with the Scarlets?

"Nobody wants that. We want our own teams."