Welsh Rugby Union Plans to Cut Four Professional Clubs to Three by 2028

The Ospreys have come out strongly against plans by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to cut four professional clubs to three by 2028. The WRU has announced its intention to make this decision by next summer.

As a result of this proposal, Cardiff and Dragons are set to be granted licenses for the capital and east regions, leaving Ospreys and Scarlets in a fierce competition for the remaining west Wales license. This has led to concerns that one of these two teams may lose their professional status.

A report commissioned by the Ospreys, which was carried out by experts at Sheffield Hallam University, has concluded that cutting one team would not be a strategic move grounded in evidence. The report found that data analysis did not logically support this decision.

The reasons behind maintaining four clubs are highlighted in the report, which is set to be published later this month after it is sent to the regions and WRU.

Derbies between the four Welsh clubs have been generating significant attendances at home games in Wales since 2012, with fixtures accounting for nearly half of total league attendances from 2012 to 2026.

The Ospreys have pointed out that the report commissioned by the WRU highlights the importance of having four teams in Welsh professional rugby. The data suggests that removing one team would lead to a decline in the number of derbies between Welsh clubs, which currently account for nearly half of total league attendances.

According to the report, cutting a team would create a bottleneck in terms of elite playing opportunities for Welsh players. This could result in more Welsh players seeking opportunities outside Wales, which would be detrimental to the development of rugby in the country. The report emphasizes the need to maintain four teams to ensure that talented players have a chance to compete at the highest level.

The findings of the report also indicate that when Welsh clubs perform well, Wales as a whole tends to achieve better results in international competitions such as the Six Nations tournament. This suggests that there is a strong correlation between the success of Welsh professional rugby and the overall performance of the national team.

All four Welsh teams have made significant contributions to the sport, with Cardiff boasting the highest average attendances, Scarlets leading the way in European competition, Dragons excelling in terms of stadium utilization, and Ospreys demonstrating excellence both on the field and in supplying players to Wales and the Lions.

A report commissioned by the Ospreys has highlighted their impressive performance in European competition.

The data shows that the Ospreys have made 47 selections for World Cup squads and 181 selections for Six Nations since 2008, more than any other Welsh club.

Their achievements extend to British and Irish Lions tours, where they have contributed 22 Welsh players, including a record 15 individuals.

This impressive representation is not limited to a single tour but spans all six Lions tours since 2005.

The Ospreys' academy draws on the community clubs and schools of their region, providing a strong foundation for their success.

The report in question analyzed various aspects of Welsh rugby from 2003 to 2026, including club performance, player supply, attendances, and financial indicators.

This extensive analysis covered a period of 23 seasons, spanning the formation of four professional clubs in Wales during the 2003-04 season to the current season of 2025-26 across multiple league competitions such as the Celtic League, Pro12, Pro14, and United Rugby Championship (URC).

Sheffield Hallam University is recognized for its research excellence in sports-related subjects, ranking among the world's top 150 according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2026.

The report was commissioned by a working group chaired by Alun Wyn Jones, former Wales captain and Ospreys director, who emphasized that this study is not about comparing individual club performances but rather about understanding the broader context of Welsh rugby.

SPARC, one of the UK's largest sport and physical activity research clusters, has previously collaborated with various organizations including FIFA, the International Tennis Federation, and The R&A.

The report highlights the contributions made by Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets, and Ospreys to Welsh rugby as a collective unit.

Decisions regarding the future of professional rugby in Wales should be based on comprehensive evidence, rather than speculation or assumptions.

By commissioning this study, the four clubs aimed to provide additional insights that could inform discussions about the direction of Welsh rugby.

The redevelopment of St Helen's, the historic ground of Ospreys, is nearing completion, with encouraging signs from season ticket sales and sponsorship deals.

Ospreys managing director Richard Lancaster acknowledged the community's strong support for elite professional rugby in the region.

The report detailing the future of Welsh professional rugby will now go to the WRU board and the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) from 16 November, with a full publication expected by the end of this month.

In response to the report's findings, Ospreys have offered to brief the WRU, PRB, and other Welsh clubs on its details, as well as share information with members, sponsors, and supporters' groups upon request. The club also plans to ensure that the document is presented at the upcoming rugby summit in December, where changes to Welsh rugby will be discussed.