The Welsh Rugby Union has been told it must ‘change course’ from its current proposals – which including cutting Wales’ number of professional teams from four to two – as they ‘simply don’t add up.’
Significant change is on the horizon for the country’s national game. Last month, the WRU confirmed their ‘optimal solution’ is to halve its number of men’s sides.
It comes after 18 months or more of struggles both on and off the field. A period of consultation is currently underway in which the WRU is looking to hear from all of Welsh rugby’s stakeholders for their views on the future direction of travel.
On Thursday, the Newport-based Dragons went on the front foot, releasing a bombshell statement which called for a total rethink from the governing body.
‘Our position is clear. The WRU must change course,’ said the Dragons.
‘No compelling case has been made for reducing the number of professional teams to two.’
The Welsh Rugby Union is proposing to cut its number of professional teams from four to two
The proposals put forward by the WRU hierarchy have been slammed by Welsh region Dragons
David Wright, Dragons chairman, added: ‘We are extremely disappointed in the initial proposals – they simply don’t add up.
‘We will continue participating in the consultation and want to find a solution.
‘We are committed to securing a positive future for Welsh rugby and to elite rugby continuing in Gwent, but there is no way we can agree to the proposals as they currently are. Welsh rugby deserves better and the WRU must rethink.’
Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are Wales’ four clubs as things stand. But they are all in a battle for survival.
Even Cardiff, who are owned by the WRU after they fell into administration earlier this year, are not guaranteed a long-term future.
The WRU’s ‘optimal solution’ contains a number of points.
As well as cutting two teams, it also puts forward the idea of building a new national training centre, creating two new women’s sides and improving the squad sizes and financial budgets of the two surviving men’s sides.
It has not said which two men’s teams it wants to continue or whether they will be existing entities or two new outfits altogether.
The WRU is attempting change after a disastrous run of Welsh rugby form in the last 18 months
‘We remain firm in our view there is no reason the Dragons can’t continue in our current form,’ the Dragons said.
‘The financial and performance data provided by the WRU contained inconsistencies and are based on questionable assumptions.
‘The governance structures outlined by the WRU are not acceptable. Rugby and commercial operations cannot be separated and the Dragons will not sign up to a model that gives us no control of on-field performance.’
Elsewhere, Alex Matthews will captain England for their final Women’s Rugby World Cup pool match with Australia in Brighton on Saturday.
No 8 Matthews takes on the role for only the second time with regular skipper Zoe Aldcroft still on the sidelines with a knee injury. England have hammered USA and Samoa in their two games so far. Aldcroft’s absence aside, coach John Mitchell has named a close to first-choice team for the Brighton clash.
Try machine Jess Breach is set for her 50th cap.
Matthews is England’s third captain in as many games after Aldcroft and Marlie Packer led Mitchell’s team against USA and Samoa.
England should complete a pool stage clean sweep against the Wallaroos but are set to be tested more when the knock-out stages begin.
England Women’s try machine Jess Breach will win her 50th cap against Australia on Saturday
