Is Welsh professional rugby about to undergo a major facelift? That is what Wales Online reported on Monday, setting out a plan devised by the union of the small British nation (WRU) to drag itself out of the mire. The outlet mentions a “drastic restructuring” from top to bottom, which would notably include cutting the number of professional regions to three or even two, instead of the current four (Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys).

A dedicated high-performance centre, along the lines of the CNR at Marcoussis in France, is also said to be under consideration, as is an increase in funding for the development of the semi-professional tier.

A rescue attempt for a drifting Welsh elite game

Meetings between the WRU, representatives of the four professional regions and other major stakeholders in Welsh rugby are expected in August and September to move the project forward, again according to Wales Online. At stake is Wales’ ability to field competitive top-level rugby again in both the men’s and women’s games. The discussions promise to be tight, given that the Ospreys and the Dragons had already refused earlier in the year to sign an initial memorandum of understanding for Welsh professional rugby.

Drained by the COVID period, no longer invited to the top table in the European cups, and no more so in the Six Nations since its surprise title in 2021, Welsh rugby did at least have the joy on Saturday of seeing its national side win its first match since the 2023 World Cup (31-22 against Japan in Kobe). The end of a long run of 18 games without a win for Wales.