'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin

Dave Reddin is a former Football Association, England Rugby and Team GB performance expert

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) director of rugby Dave Reddin says Welsh rugby cannot continue as it is and big decisions are needed to produce a "radically different future".

The WRU is considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 season.

The governing body says it is entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even two.

The WRU has finally appointed a new head coach in Steve Tandy but Reddin says that alone will not solve the ills of Welsh rugby.

"I think we have to say, given where we are, that we can't continue the way we've been," said Reddin.

"That would be the height of madness to think that one coaching appointment is going to change the outcome.

"It won't. I think we need to lean into and embrace that."

The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and it was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal.

The deal has been agreed by WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-owned Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been resolved.

This has led to the WRU stating it can no longer afford to fund four professional sides equally, which has led to the threat of a reduction in teams.

Reddin has only just started his new role but is involved, along with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney, in plans to change the structure of the game in Wales, a process which is scheduled to finish in October.

"I've been getting involved in that behind the scenes prior to starting because there's no more critical thing for Welsh rugby," said Reddin.

"We are going to consult and it is a genuine consultation. We want to talk to people.

"I've got a clear view of one of the options we could have going forward but the consultation process is genuine.

"If we sit here and think that nobody has a better idea than us then we are done from the start.

"That consultation will include players, it will include clubs and will include all the key stakeholders.

"We need to do it in a respectful and comprehensive way so that whatever the decision ends up being, everyone feels they've had a voice in that and it's something in the future they can get behind."

'We have got to make big decisions'

Having come from the Scotland system of two professional sides, new head coach Tandy will be asked for his opinion on any changes but will not be directly involved in the decision-making.

"Steve will be consulted about his views on the direction we take but he will not be going out and talking to the regions about the future strategic proposals," said Reddin.

"That's my job and Abi's job, to get out there and do that piece of work.

"Ultimately then we've got to make a decision taking into account all of that insight that people will bring to it.

"I'm sure there'll be a lot of passion and emotion that comes to it as well."

Reddin says tough decisions will have to be made.

"Ultimately we've got to assimilate all of that information and make sure that informs the decisions we take going forward, as difficult as they might be," said Reddin.

"We've got to make some big decisions if we want a radically different future."