What the change in Welsh rugby means and why it matters

MPs have already announced plans to question the WRU about the results of its consultation and the impact on the wider economic and cultural importance of sport in Wales.

Ruth Jones MP, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, said: “With rugby woven into the fabric of life in communities across the country, the proposed structural changes announced by FIFA today will resonate beyond the pitch.”

But the big questions fans want answered are which team will be eliminated and when?

The WRU had sought to cut two regions, but the backlash made it clear that was too far and too much for them to bear. But still, one will go.

Despite attempts to downplay this scenario, there appears to be a direct battle between Ospreys and Scarlets – the two most successful clubs in the era of regional rugby that began in 2003 – for the sole place in West Wales.

There is still hope within the governing body that the two clubs will merge, as they almost did in 2019. This would certainly make a formidable combination but would require an enormous amount of diplomacy – or desperation.

Both teams’ funding agreement with the WRU expires in June 2027 but is likely to be set before then.

The WRU remained coy about the length of their contract to provide four teams to the URC who were firm in their desire to have an even number of Welsh teams to protect the structure and format of the competition.

WU could be liable to pay compensation for a team withdrawing prematurely, but negotiations are already underway over a 15-team league or who could take the final spot.

South Africa are said to be opposed to proposals to invite a club from the US or Canada, due to travel, so could there be a European option, for example from Georgia, Spain or Portugal, or even a club from the Championship of England?