Could Wales lose two regions?

Scrum V

BBC

Sports, Rugby

4.6 • 927 Ratings

🗓️ 14 July 2025

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Gareth Rhys Owen and Matt Lloyd explain the Welsh Rugby Union’s latest proposals for structural change as they consider halving the number of regions in Wales. The governing body says it’s entering a formal consultation with the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) and could reduce the number of regions to three or even two. In a statement, the WRU said the current system is failing and is unsustainable, having already confirmed it does not intend to continue equally funding four professional teams in the men's game. Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets are the four current sides, with the WRU saying it wants a "more radical" strategy to be completed by October.

Transcript

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0:53.0	Hello, welcome to scrumfy podcast, one of those unexpected ones, because we are reacting.
0:59.2	We have been reacting for the past two or three hours to a statement released by the Welsh Rugby Union.
1:06.5	And it's a very significant one because frankly it really, really, really ups the stakes.
1:14.9	And we can say with clarity that there's uncertainty about the future of all our regions as things stand.
1:21.7	I'm joined by Matt Lloyd of Scrum 5 and to explain to you this is just going to be a 10, 15 minute explainer.
1:24.3	There'll be more detail online on TV.
1:30.1	If there's more breaking news, we'll come to you, of course. But this is just to set things out to you, for you to understand what has happened today, what was the purpose and what was
1:36.7	the significance of this statement by the Welsh Rugby Union and where potentially we could go
1:42.1	from here on in. So welcome to the show. Welcome, Matt.
1:45.7	By you.
	...

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