Fans brand WRU announcement on funding of regions 'concerning and disappointing'

ITV News

19-05-2025

Supporters have branded the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU's) announcement on how the four regional clubs will be funded as "very disappointing".
On Sunday (18 May) the WRU revealed it would no longer be evenly funding all four clubs after Ospreys and Scarlets did not sign up to its new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA25) - while Dragons and Cardiff did.
Cardiff were taken over by the WRU in April after having served formal notification that they intended to enter administration. Last week Ospreys and Scarlets said they had asked the WRU for assurances that the takeover 'will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs'.
Until the clubs received more "clarity" on this, it said both were "unable to sign the PRA25".
This latest announcement from the WRU has left Ospreys and Scarlets fans worried about the future of their club.
Gareth Storey, from the Scarlets Supporters Trust, said it was really disappointing to find out the news.
He said: "We as supporters we met with the WRU several weeks ago and we were given assurances that the model would be equitable funding and that's obviously changed recently.
"And again - more uncertainty in Welsh rugby, which is causing complete destabilisation at the end of the season and we want to be able to push on and compete for silverware in the coming years to come."
Mr Storey feels the WRU is not working together with the regions.
"I think the WRU needs to take the collaborative approach," he said.
"By the media leaks and yesterday's statement, it feels like that's not the approach they're looking to take at the moment which is very disappointing.
"They need to work with the clubs, Scarlets and Ospreys in particular, and they need to give the assurances that have been sought around funding and what the future looks like.
"We've spoken recently, since Abi Tierney came into post 18 months ago, about that collaborative relationship and how things between the professional clubs and the WRU needed to improve.
"And then we are still in the same situation it feels like in a week to week, month to month basis - where the clubs are almost at war with the WRU again because there isn't agreement."
Following Sunday's announcement, WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said: 'We are continuing to talk to all four clubs about what the future will hold.
'We recognise this will be time of uncertainty and are committed to treating all the clubs, players, and supporters with respect and fairness throughout this process.
'We acknowledge the continued commitment of each club to Welsh rugby and will formulate a new plan with the best interests of the whole game in Wales at the forefront of our thinking.
'When I announced the headline strategy back in July 2024, I said one thing is for certain, given the challenges facing rugby in Wales and globally, there will be times when we need to adjust our course. We must seize this opportunity.'
Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall said: 'The next phase of consultation, as always, will be conducted with the best interests of the whole of Welsh rugby at its heart.'