Welsh rugby 'optimal solution' to be unveiled

Abi Tierney became the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive in January 2024

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney says the governing body will produce its "optimal solution" in the coming weeks to transform the failing game in Wales.

The WRU will outline its plans including the possibility of cutting the four regions - Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets - to three or two.

Tierney says this critical period represents a "once-in-a-generation chance" to put Welsh rugby on a sustainable footing and ensure it is not in this state again.

New director of rugby Dave Reddin will present the executive's findings to the board before a six-week consultation with stakeholders, including clubs, coaches, politicians and fans. A final decision is expected in October.

'No final decision has been made'

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney appointed new director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin in April 2025

Tierney has defended the decision to provide their preferred option before consultation with critics stating it is a 'fait accompli'.

"We want to consult on an option rather than just go out there with everybody having different views," said Tierney.

"We're paid to make decisions, so it's important we take the opportunity of a leadership position on this."

Tierney says there will be time for collaboration and change.

"While we're saying it's what we think is the optimal solution, we haven't made a final decision," she said.

"We're up to being challenged and for something different to emerge and we'll have six weeks where we listen and engage.

"You explain why it's your preferred solution and people have a chance to challenge and question and come up with maybe how you amend it.

"The document's going to be public so people will be able to see it, but I'm under no illusion we've got it all right."

Who is best in the west?

Ospreys are looking to redevelop St Helen's after moving from the Swansea.com Stadium

Uncertainty has already created division between opposing sides.

Ospreys this week had a planning application agreed by Swansea City Council to redevelop St Helen's, with a view to moving in next year.

Scarlets' fans groups and local politicians objected amid fears it threatened the future of Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets if there was only one west Wales side.

And just days later, Scarlets announced they have attracted significant new investment from a US-based company whose board members include former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive David Moffett and ex-Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.

Tierney says the WRU gave no assurances over the Ospreys' future to Swansea council and denied it had chosen Swansea instead of Llanelli as the base for any west Wales side.

Tierney was asked if any sides culled would be named at this stage or in the final decision in October.

"It's more the number and principles we are going to be consulting on, not where the teams are based or which teams they should be," said Tierney.

"In that document we do not get into - if it's a reduction of clubs - then it's this club over that club.

"There are so many different scenarios. One option is we then go out to tender if clubs can't agree amongst themselves to merge. Scarlets and Ospreys have talked about a merger in the past.

"If we could get consent we will, but if we can't, it will be 'this is our structure, this is the number of clubs we want and this is the model'. Then people would bid for those licences."

'Hard not to see rugby in Cardiff'

The latest domestic crisis emerged after Cardiff went into administration in April and were taken over by the WRU with the governing body looking for new investors.

Tierney accepts there is a perception the WRU owning a region in this process is a problem.

"I'm not involved in any way in Cardiff and we have a separate group managing them," said Tierney.

"We will shortly be naming an independent chair who will lead their response during this process."

Tierney accepts it is likely professional rugby will continue in the Welsh capital.

"It's hard because we didn't choose for Cardiff to go into administration when it did," said Tierney.

"For lots of very factual reasons, populations, pathways, number of clubs etc. I said this was one of the reasons we chose to take Cardiff in-house.

"So it's hard to see a model where you don't see rugby being played in Cardiff but other people can challenge that."

Job concerns and losing fans

Scarlets finished the highest Welsh placed side in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and will play in the European Champions Cup next season

Cutting two regions is likely to lead to job cuts and Tierney accepts it is an uncertain time, assuring people they will do the process "fairly, transparently and with compassion".

Fewer teams could lead to alienating fans of the clubs that are culled.

"Fans are so important to this but it's not working at the moment," said Tierney.

"We've got to come up with something that wins the hearts and minds of fans back.

"We are already losing fans. Every year the number attending the regional clubs is going down.

"It's the challenge we are facing so we need to do something different on that. To me [the threat of losing fans], it's a bit of a red herring question.

"If we do change the club structure - and it's a big if - what are the brands we want to associate and how do we bring the fans along with us."

Tierney dismissed targeting an Anglo-Welsh league stating the United Rugby Championship (URC) remains the focus.

"They [URC] are another one we are consulting with because any change to our structure we will need their consent to make that change as quickly as possible," said Tierney.

"If you do announce you are going to change then clubs become unstable."

Why change is needed

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood launched the One Wales strategy in June 2024

Tierney insists change is required with Welsh rugby in dire straits.

The national men's side have a new head coach in Steve Tandy - who starts his role in September - but had lost a record 18 Tests in a row before victory against Japan in July.

None of the four professional sides qualified for last season's Champions Cup in a year when the final was staged in Cardiff.

A new strategy was launched in June 2024 where the WRU committed to four equally-funded regions.

The past year has been dogged by yet more failure and in-fighting with the WRU announcing the sides would not be equally funded and they are now contemplating scrapping teams altogether.

"I can understand there's pros and cons and trade-offs to all of this," said Tierney.

"There's no perfect solution and we are going to have to have an honest conversation about what we are willing to trade for what outcomes, because what we are doing now isn't working.

"So, I recognise there's risks in that but there's also risks in doing what we are doing.

"We can't carry on doing the same things and expect different results."