WRU outlines timeline for plan to cut western club

WRU outlines timeline for plan to cut western clubImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wales has had four regions since 2004ByChris KirwanBBC Sport WalesPublished1 minute agoCommentsThe Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has outlined how it plans to cut from four professional teams to three by 2028 – with Ospreys and Scarlets set to fight to be the side in south west Wales.The governing body confirmed in April it intended to press on with plans to go down to three men's teams from the 2028-29 season, with one in the capital, one in the east and one in the west.WRU-owned Cardiff and Dragons - an independently-backed business - are set to be given those licences.That would leave Swansea-based Ospreys and Llanelli-based Scarlets to compete for the remaining spot, with a joint future merger venture also a practical, if controversial, possibility.The WRU state that the process to decide the framework for the final decision will begin in December and finish before the end of the 2026-27 season."The WRU board has examined in detail a range of factors when determining the three future licence areas and has confirmed that only incumbent teams will be considered eligible for a licence," read a statement."This means contingent on the agreement of the final licensing terms, Dragons RFC and Cardiff Rugby would be offered the respective east and capital licences."Scarlets sign Wales fly-half Anscombe from BayonnePublished22 hours agoHigh Court leaves rugby brain injury case in balancePublished5 days agoHalfpenny commits coaching future to CardiffPublished21 JulyThe WRU state that they will "bring together the leadership of all the professional teams, and other stakeholders" after Wales' Nations Championship matches in November.They intend to thrash out the finances of their proposals and assess the interests of the quartet in taking up the new licences."This will allow an orderly implementation and avoid prolonged uncertainty for...