Welsh Rugby Union to cut number of professional sides to three
Mens' club licenses to be handed out in the capital, east and west Wales
Last updated 24th Oct 2025
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed a decision to cut the number of pro teams in Wales from four to three.
The WRU Board unanimously agreed to implement a new whole-system approach to elite rugby, which it says is designed to deliver long-term success to all levels of the game and financial sustainability.
The decision follows a major consultation.
Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Chair of the WRU Board, Richard Collier-Keywood, said; “We have heard loud and clear from the consultation that people want a long-term fix and not a short-term patch. We have listened and we agree.
“Our decision is that the future structure of elite men’s rugby will be based on three professional men’s clubs, replacing the current four-team model, alongside two women’s elite teams.”
Cardiff, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons currently compete in the United Rugby Championship.
The WRU confirmed that it proposes to grant three licences for men’s clubs; one for the capital, one for West Wales and one for East Wales.
It says there will be equal funding for the three team squads starting at £6.4M and rising to £7.8M per annum.
Richard Collier-Keywood, continued, “Any change is difficult, and we have current contractual obligations to the URC and our professional clubs that we will honour in the absence of new agreements. We want to involve the URC and the owners and managers of the current clubs in how we get to our chosen destination. This may take some time, but we will work hard to get this done as quickly as possible.
“If, however, it ultimately proves impossible to reach a consensus on how this change will happen then the WRU will run a fair and transparent tendering process for the three licences. We have already guaranteed that all existing player contracts will be honoured.”