The Welsh Rugby Union insists cutting professional sides from four to two is the best option for the sport in Wales
Wales centre Joe Hawkins says going down to two teams would be "short-sighted" and see young players moving to England
Other options include continuing with four sides or going down to three, either with equal or unequal funding
The WRU has not indicated their preferred locations for clubs or names and insist no decisions have yet been made
Its chief executive says "the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs"
The WRU admits its proposal to cut two regions has the potential for a legal battle with clubs and leagues
There are currently four regions: Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets
Charlie Buckland
BBC News
That's a wrap on today's live coverage, thank you very much for following along.
We will of course continue to follow this story as it develops in the coming days and weeks.
Charlie Buckland
BBC News
It's been a monumental day in Welsh rugby. After a hectic 24 hours, here’s everything we know so far:
BBC Radio Wales
Image source, Getty ImagesSunday Times rugby correspondent Stephen Jones believes cutting teams will see Wales "cease to exist" within the professional game
Stephen Jones, rugby correspondent for the Sunday Times, has described today's decision as "absolutely rubbish" and accused the WRU of being "pathetic" in running the professional game.
Jones says he believes if the plan goes ahead it could be the end of Welsh professional rugby, and that Wales will eventually have to withdraw from the Six Nations.
"It's been done with nobody in mind but the executive," he told BBC Radio Wales Drive, accusing the WRU of making "a total mess of professional rugby".
"It's an absolute disgrace they are now turning on clubs that they have let down, to say sorry, after 150 years you will cease to exist."
Speaking about Scotland currently having two regional clubs, Mr Jones adds it is a "mirage" that the country is dominating rugby which is "completely wrong".
Charlie Buckland
BBC News
WRU boss Dave Reddin says the "radical step" is needed to save the game
"This is unashamedly about trying to take Wales back towards the top of world rugby and club rugby," says Dave Reddin, WRU director of rugby and elite performance.
Laying out the reasons behind the proposal to cut half of the Welsh professional teams from four to two, Reddin says that globally, rugby is facing financial challenges in many different leagues.
He insists the "radical step" is needed to save the game in Wales, and hopes the decision will also free up investment to create opportunity, and try to remove some of the "friction" which exists.
"It is about trying to win, and it is about trying to acknowledge winning isn't about just one element of a system, it's about the whole system working together."
BBC Radio Wales
Rugby journalist and sports broadcaster Peter Jackson says fans' anger is merely at the tip of the iceberg as it stands, and he expects it to ramp up among the next few weeks.
"Hell hath no fury like a rugby nation scorned", he told BBC Radio Wales Drive.
He says he thinks the concept of having an east and west Wales team is fine, but struggles with the "lack of a geographical dimension" with the proposal.
"Where does east Wales begin and end, where does west Wales begin and end?" he asks, adding: "We're talking basically are we not about Cardiff and Swansea?"
Jackson says the only region "high and dry" among the proposals is Cardiff, because it's in the capital city, and is owned by the WRU.
Despite questions around how it will operate, Jackson applauded the union for the radical plan, adding that the WRU were ultimately left with two choices.
These are either continuing with four fully professional teams, he said, "hopelessly underfunded and unable to punch their weight", or the alternative of creating two regional teams properly resourced to be competitive.
As a journalist for more than 50 years, Jackson says he remembers a time when there were 16 Welsh rugby clubs in Wales, which was "the envy of the world".
"It has gone from 16 to nine, to five, to four, and now inevitably, to two."
"Serious times," he adds, "but we cannot go on as we have done for the last 16 years".
Matt Lloyd
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencySome fans have mooted the possibility of resurrecting the infamous rebel season of 1998-99 and having their team playing in England if they are to be cut by the Welsh Rugby Union.
Well, that might be far easier said than done.
Firstly - officially - the Welsh Rugby Union would have to give the go-ahead to a Welsh team playing elsewhere and - interestingly - at today's press conference they declined to say they would stand in any team's way.
But without the WRU's funding, the chances of any region being allowed into, for example, Premiership Rugby in England are exceptionally slim... and that's if English clubs wanted it.
WRU chief executive said: "The idea that two clubs that were no longer supported by the WRU could play in the English Premiership franchise, understanding what the minimum standards that are required [in that league], it would be very, very difficult.
"I think it's a bit of a red herring to suggest that."
Director of rugby Dave Reddin added: "We've got to think of the bigger picture and in the short term, that [playing in England] is not a viable option.
"We're dealing with what we've got. We're competing in the URC, that's our focus and the ambition is to be winning that."
You can listen to the latest analysis from Matt Lloyd and Lauren Jenkins on today's Scrum V podcast episode here.
Charlie Buckland
BBC News
Scarlets fan Jenny Tillier, 75, says "you can't take the emotion out of something you have been with for years".
"Llanelli has been known for years," she told BBC Wales.
"You can't take the emotion out of it, the emotion is there. It's always been an emotional game".
Other Scarlets fans have been voicing their passion through an online petition calling for the rugby club to be saved, which currently has 930 signatures.
The petition says the club is the "cornerstone of our community", adding its potential loss is not just a matter of sports but "a blow to cultural and communal identity here in west Wales".
BBC Radio Wales
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Wales, Lions and Scarlets wing, Dafydd James, who played at the start of the regional project, says the announcement has been "another firework set off in the WRU fall of fame".
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Drive, James compares the regions to a "house of cards built on sand foundations" adding: "We done exceptionally well for what we had with the structure in place."
James says he feels for the players but agreed that something needs to dramatically change.
He says here isn't enough support for youth rugby or enough resources within schools to develop young players, something which he says needs to be prioritised.
"If they are going to be two teams which it does appear, west and east, there has got to be a total re-brand, says James, adding that there has to be a revival of the youth club scene to "get that hunger and desire" in rugby again, for both players and supporters.
"It is very much part of culture within Wales, people go out on a Saturday afternoon and watch a game of rugby watch a game of football, and that's their way of venting and getting out there," he adds.
"It's not all pounds and pence.
"There is a lot to be mixed in the pot, but it seems it will be rubber stamped."
Wales' men's national team basked in a golden era after rugby went regional here in 2003.
They won four Six Nations Grand Slams in 14 years and reached the World Cup semi-finals twice.
The Welsh team reached number one in the world too, and the British and Irish Lions picked 10 Welshmen in their third Test win over Australia in 2013.
But they have since slumped to a record 18-match losing streak - going 644 days without a win - and slipped to 12th in the world rankings this year.
Then just two Wales players were picked for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer.
The Ospreys have won four league titles and Scarlets two but no Welsh team has won it since 2017.
The Cardiff region has won two European Challenge Cups - the second tier European competition - but the last of which was in 2018.
Only one Welsh region - the Scarlets in 2017/18 - have reached the quarter finals of the Champions Cup in 13 years.
Image source, Getty ImagesCharlie Buckland
BBC News
Emlyn Jones, the chair of Aberystwyth Rugby Club, which falls under the Scarlets catchment, says regional rugby has been "a bit of a mess" over the past few years, and the WRU "hasn't done what they should", especially in mid and north Wales.
Mr Jones says: "We feel up here, we're in no man's land, the forgotten part."
Reacting to the announcement, Mr Jones says Wales has the players, but many are going over the border to England in order to play professionally.
"With several going to Hartpury, Sedbergh, Gloucester, Oxford, all across the border, and only then have they gone on to win caps for Wales," he says.
"It's a loss for the club, for the area, for the Welsh language and for the regions in Wales.
"The current set up isn't working at it's failing our youngsters," he says, adding six players have left the club this year.
While Mr Jones says it's a "very sad time", he is hopeful the "home of rugby" can push forward, however the politics of these regions, where they're located and who runs them, still remains unanswered.
Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales
OK, we've already heard from the Ospreys after the Welsh Rugby Union announced it's proposals to cut the number of men's professional teams from four to two.
Now Cardiff, who are now owned by the WRU after entering administration earlier this year, have given their views.
"Following today’s announcement from the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff Rugby would like to clarify their representation in the process," they wrote.
"The club are also in the process of appointing a new independent chair. The new chair will play a key role during this consultation period.
"As a club, we remain committed to ensuring professional rugby continues in Cardiff and will give all key stakeholders – included but not limited to employees, supporters and partners – the opportunity to provide comprehensive feedback.
"We welcome the opportunity to actively engage in this consultation process and will do so with best interests of Cardiff Rugby at heart."
Image source, Getty ImagesCardiff have won two European Challenge Cups since the game went professional
BBC Radio Wales
Former Wales captain Paul Thorburn has told BBC Radio Wales' Phone In why he thinks the Welsh Rugby Union need to create two completely new teams in their shake-up.
Former Wales captain Paul Thorburn tells BBC Radio Wales why an east and west team will be better than keeping two of the existing regions.
Matt Lloyd
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
It remains unclear whether the two future sides being proposed will be new entities or existing teams.
The Welsh Rugby Union has proposed:
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales
Joe Hawkins is one of the first current players to give their thoughts on the Welsh Rugby Union proposals and he doesn’t seem impressed.
"I think everyone agrees change is needed, but going down to two from four seems very short sighted,” the Wales and Scarlets centre wrote on X.
“It will definitely increase squad quality and maybe success short term but probably at the cost of the little fans Welsh rugby has left walking away which will kill the game and even more players heading to England at a young age due to lack of playing opportunities.
“What happens then in five years when there is no fans and all the best young players are over the bridge with no one coming through?
“Also, as a player, if two new teams are made then who wants to play for a team with no history and no loyal and passionate supporters? All the best Welsh players will want that and find it outside of Wales.”
Image source, Getty ImagesEleri Griffiths
BBC News
It’s been another seismic day in Welsh rugby - here’s what you need to know:
It’s a pivotal day in Welsh rugby so stick with us for all the updates and reaction.
The Welsh Rugby Union has held a press conference at the Principality Stadium to unveil its plans
Jordan Davies
BBC News at Rodney Parade
We'll bring you fan reaction as soon as we get it on the Welsh Rugby Union's proposals to half the number of men's professional teams from four to two.
But Denise and Jaff sum it nicely as they explain how most Welsh rugby fans will be feeling this afternoon.
“I’m an Ospreys fan - you cannot mix the Ospreys and the Scarlets," said Jaff, 66 on a day out in Newport.
Wife Denise says she’s unhappy with the proposed changes, adding that the current four-region setup is “really nice” as it is.
"You’ll get people saying ‘I don’t want any Dragons in my team'," said the 68-year-old Dragons fan. "I don’t know how this mix will work."
“I’m an Ospreys fan, you cannot mix the Ospreys and the Scarlets," says Jaff (left)
The Welsh Rugby Union admit their "radical" proposal to cut two regions has potential for a legal battle with clubs and leagues.
The governing body's chief executive has told the press conference announcing their shake-up plans that they have already spoken to United Rugby Championship league about cutting regions.
"We have spoken to the URC executive and then the shareholders of the shareholder unions, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, South Africa," she said.
"I think their key message is we recognise that you need to do something different.
"They are very clear that their preference would be for us to have continued as is but they recognise that that is increasingly challenging for us."
The Welsh Rugby Union have said that they will stick by "our obligations in those agreements".
The Ospreys are the first of the four current Welsh men's professional regions to have their say on the Welsh Rugby Union's proposals to cut teams.
They posted on X: "We have reviewed the WRU’s consultation document and welcome the opportunity to engage constructively in this process.
"There are some interesting ideas within it, including options that we feel hold real potential, alongside others that present more challenges.
"We look forward to working closely with the WRU and all stakeholders to help shape a system that serves the best interests of the Ospreys, our supporters, and the wider Welsh game.
"Details will follow shortly for a supporters’ evening, where we will share more of our views and, importantly, listen to the views of our supporters. #OurBloodIsBlack"
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Ospreys won two league titles and lifted the 2008 Anglo-Welsh trophy
Matt Lloyd
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
While the Welsh Rugby Union have proposed halving their number of men's professional clubs from four to two, they have not indicated their preferred locations for clubs or names.
While fans of the Ospreys, Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff nervously wait, the governing body insist that no decision has yet been made.
The WRU has revealed that there are, in fact, four models that have been put forward for the number of professional clubs.
The Union has said the timescale for any changes will be dictated by their chosen option.
A consultation period will begin on 1 September with regions, clubs, players and fans encouraged to get involved before a final recommendation is made in mid-October, with that month's WRU board to make a final decision.
Matt Lloyd
BBC Sport at Principality Stadium
Welsh Rugby Union's chief executive Abi Tierney has been speaking at a press conference at the Principality Stadium.
"We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team," she said.
"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.
"Change is hard, and this is going to be hard, but I think it will get us to a better place.
“We are clear that the current rugby model in Wales is no longer delivering what our game needs, that’s why we’re inviting views on the opportunities for change we’ve put forward.”
Image source, PA Media