Dragons Slam WRU’s Plan to Cut Welsh Rugby Teams: “Welsh Rugby Deserves Better”
The Dragons have hit out at the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) proposal to reduce Wales’ four professional rugby teams to just two, declaring that “Welsh rugby deserves better.”
The WRU has begun its consultation process on the future of the elite game, suggesting that cutting the number of professional men’s teams – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets – to two would help improve financial stability and performance.
The Dragons, who met with WRU officials earlier this week, strongly oppose the move. In a statement, the Rodney Parade side insisted:
“No compelling case has been made for reducing the number of professional teams to two. We remain firm in our view that there is no reason the Dragons can’t continue in our current form.”
The Newport-based club has been privately owned since 2023 after the WRU handed control to investors David Wright, David Buttress, and Hoyoung Huh, alongside ownership of the Rodney Parade site. They argue the new model proposed by the WRU – where the governing body funds rugby operations while private investors handle commercial aspects – is flawed.
“The governance structures outlined by the WRU are not acceptable. Rugby and commercial operations cannot be separated, and the Dragons will not sign up to a model that gives us no control of on-field performance,” the club said.
Despite finishing bottom of the United Rugby Championship last season, the Dragons say they are financially stable and already have a clear plan to improve performance. Chairman David Wright confirmed the club has sought legal advice and urged the WRU to rethink its approach.
“We are extremely disappointed in the initial proposals – they simply don’t add up. We are committed to securing a positive future for Welsh rugby and to elite rugby continuing in Gwent, but there is no way we can agree to the proposals as they currently are. Welsh rugby deserves better, and the WRU must rethink,” Wright said.
The WRU’s consultation period runs until 26 September, after which findings will be reviewed by the board in mid-October, with a final decision expected by the end of the month. The governing body has stressed that no decisions have been finalized and is open to feedback from clubs, players, and supporters.
