News

WRU unveils radical plan to halve professional teams in Wales

Published

10 months ago

August 20, 2025

Union launches consultation on two-club model with new national campus and funding shake-up

THE WELSH RUGBY UNION has gone public with a bold plan to slash the number of professional teams in Wales from four to two, in what it describes as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape the game.

At a press conference held at the Principality Stadium on Wednesday (Aug 20), WRU leaders set out their vision for the future of Welsh rugby, unveiling proposals to merge the professional structure into just two clubs — each running a men’s and a women’s team — backed by a new national performance campus and a radically altered funding model.

Chief executive Abi Tierney said: “We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team. 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.”

Two-team model

Under the optimal scenario presented, Wales would be left with two fully professional clubs, each running a men’s squad of 50 and a women’s squad of 40. Playing budgets for the men’s teams would be set at between £7.8m and £8m, with a strict focus on developing Welsh-qualified talent. Only four overseas players would be permitted across the two sides.

Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin said the move was designed to put Wales back at the top of the international game. “This is unashamedly about trying to take Welsh rugby back to the top. It’s about designing for elite performance and making talent outperform its capacity,” he said. “Why shouldn’t we believe Wales could be wildcard World Cup winners with the right system?”

Five pillars of reform

The WRU’s restructuring is built around five pillars:

Two professional clubs (one men’s, one women’s at each location) designed to compete at the highest level.
A new national performance campus to centralise training for elite players and staff.
Replacement of the Professional Rugby Agreement with a unified management structure to cut friction and speed up decision-making.
A central funding model, with the WRU paying rugby costs while private investors run clubs commercially under licence.
Major investment in player pathways, including an expanded women’s domestic league, enhanced academies and improved coaching opportunities.

The union confirmed that existing academies will be scrapped and replaced by a single men’s national academy, alongside a new development system for women.

Consultation begins

The consultation period will begin on September 1 and close on September 26, with the WRU engaging Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, the Welsh Rugby Players Association, former and current players, and official supporter groups. An online survey will also open to the wider public.

Chairman Richard Collier-Keywood said: “Every player and fan story starts somewhere. We will be listening to views from grassroots through pathways to elite level. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this right and create an exciting future for our game.”

A recommendations report will go before the WRU board in mid-October, with a final decision expected at the end of that month.

Ospreys respond

The Ospreys, one of the four current professional clubs, have already issued a statement in response, acknowledging that some of the ideas outlined by the WRU hold “real potential”.

Women’s game overhaul

The plans also include a major expansion of the women’s game, with the two professional women’s teams backed by a national academy, new player development centres, and the creation of a domestic league to strengthen the Celtic Challenge.

Financial shake-up

Perhaps the most radical shift lies in the financial model. The WRU would directly fund all rugby operations in the two professional clubs, while commercial operations would be handled by private owners and investors under licence. The union believes this will improve alignment and stability across the game.

The road ahead

While the two-team model is the WRU’s preferred solution, other scenarios remain under discussion, including a three-team structure or retaining four sides with unequal funding. The union insists no final decision has been made until the consultation is complete.

As Tierney summed up: “This consultation is about listening. Every voice matters. We must work together if we are to create the future Welsh rugby deserves.”

News

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

3 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.