The Welsh Rugby Union has taken another step towards reducing its professional teams from four to three.
This now leaves the Ospreys and Scarlets battling for the final licence from the 2028-29 season.
The WRU confirmed in April that it intended to streamline Welsh rugby into three professional regions – one representing the capital, one the east and one the west.
On Thursday, the governing body announced that only the existing four regional teams will be eligible for the new licences.
That effectively guarantees Cardiff and the Dragons the capital and eastern licences, provided they agree to the final licensing terms.
The final western licence will be contested by the Ospreys and Scarlets, although a merger between the two rivals remains a possibility.
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The WRU said the formal licensing process will begin in December and conclude before the end of the upcoming season.
“The WRU board has examined in detail a range of factors when determining the three future licence areas and has confirmed that only incumbent teams will be considered eligible for a licence,” the governing body said in a statement.
Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board will meet with the four regional teams and other stakeholders after Wales’ Nations Championship campaign in November to assess their financial proposals and long-term plans.
“This will allow an orderly implementation and avoid prolonged uncertainty for clubs, players, supporters, investors and sponsors,” said Professional Rugby Board chair Marianne Okland.
“We understand that there will be ongoing uncertainty until a final decision on the west licence is made.
“That is why we are committed to progressing in a collaborative way, while not underestimating the considerable challenges ahead, and providing stability for all at the earliest opportunity.”
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The move follows the WRU’s decision earlier this year to delay the reduction to three teams until 2028 after a proposed takeover of Cardiff by Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media collapsed.
The Scarlets and Ospreys have since signed the new Professional Rugby Agreement and will now compete for the remaining western licence unless an agreement to merge can be reached.
Photo: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images
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The Welsh Rugby Union has taken another step towards reducing its professional teams from four to three.
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