The Welsh Rugby Union has a “massive disconnect” from fans, MPs say

The federation has now selected a preferred bidder – understood to be the owner of Ospreys Y11 – significantly adding to the uncertainty surrounding the region.

This included Swansea Council saying they would explore legal action, with leader Rob Stewart telling BBC Wales he was due to meet WRU officials.

He added: “We sought further talks with them but did not have any.”

“Interestingly, the threat of legal action by the board has resulted in the WRU CEO and the Ospreys coming to see us, so we are interested to hear what they have to say.

“It doesn’t take a legal genius to see that the process followed by the WRU was not managed as successfully as it could have been.”

Stewart says the redevelopment of St Helens was not at risk due to the Y11 proposals.

“We have been clear, the Cabinet has made a decision and we have in fact committed more than £5 million to help redevelop the land,” Stewart said.

“It is conditional on the Ospreys region being one of the regions chosen to be made permanent as part of the WRU’s new arrangements.”

A formal decision has yet to be made on which parties will remain, with Tierney saying the WRU hopes to avoid a tender process for the three available licences.