Welsh Rugby Union confirms Scarlets or Ospreys to be cut
The Welsh Rugby Union has set out a timeline for cutting its professional men's teams from four to three by 2028, confirming that Ospreys and Scarlets will compete against each other for the sole remaining licence in west Wales. Cardiff and Dragons are expected to be awarded the capital and east licences respectively, meaning the contest is effectively narrowed to Swansea-based Ospreys versus Llanelli-based Scarlets, with a merger between the two also seen as a realistic, if contentious, outcome. The move matters because it will reshape the future of professional rugby in Wales, affecting players, staff, supporters and investors across the region.
Under the plan, discussions on the licensing framework will begin in December, bringing together leaders from all four teams and other stakeholders after November's Nations Championship, with a final decision expected before the end of the 2026-27 season. Only existing teams are eligible for a licence, and the WRU says only incumbents will be considered. The reduction was originally due sooner but was delayed to 2028 after a proposed takeover of Cardiff by Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media collapsed in April; all four regions have since signed a Professional Rugby Agreement. A merger between Ospreys and Scarlets was previously close to happening in 2019.
- WRU confirms cut from four teams to three by 2028
- Cardiff and Dragons set for capital and east licences
- Ospreys and Scarlets to compete for west Wales spot, merger possible
New here? Start with this
Wales' professional rugby union is being restructured. The Welsh Rugby Union is reducing the number of professional men's teams from four to three by 2028, which means one team will lose its professional funding and status. This affects hundreds of players, coaches and supporters involved in professional rugby in Wales.
The two teams facing potential elimination are both based in west Wales: Ospreys, based in Swansea, and Scarlets, based in Llanelli, which have been rivals for decades. Cardiff and Dragons are expected to continue as professional teams representing the capital and east Wales. Rather than one team simply ceasing to exist, Ospreys and Scarlets could also merge, though this option remains controversial given their rivalry.
Professional rugby is central to Welsh sporting culture and regional identity. Each of the four teams has built significant followings and community operations over many years, meaning the reduction will have wide-ranging effects beyond the playing field. The Welsh Rugby Union argues that concentrating resources into fewer teams will strengthen the sport competitively and financially.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Reducing four teams to three could concentrate funding and playing talent, helping Welsh professional rugby build more competitive teams and use limited resources more sustainably. Supporters of the plan may also argue that a clear timetable gives players, staff and investors time to prepare, while a west Wales merger could preserve a regional presence.
The case against
Cutting a team risks weakening the communities, rivalries and pathways that sustain rugby in west Wales, while bringing job losses and uncertainty for players, staff and local businesses. Critics may argue that the WRU should address funding and governance problems without removing a club, and that a merger could dilute the distinct identities of both Ospreys and Scarlets.