Dragons Demand Rethink On 'unacceptable' Wru Plans

Dragons person declared "Welsh rugby deserves better" than nan plans for nan elite crippled that propose cutting 4 master sides to two.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is successful nan first week of a consultation process for its scheme to move astir nan fortunes of nan game.

The governing body's 'optimal system' would trim nan number of men's master sides from 4 - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - to two.

The Rodney Parade nine met pinch nan WRU connected Tuesday to talk nan plans.

"No compelling lawsuit has been made for reducing nan number of master teams to two," publication a Dragons statement.

"We stay patient successful our position that location is nary logic nan Dragons can't proceed successful our existent form."

Dragons were taken complete by nan WRU successful 2017 and went into backstage ownership successful 2023 erstwhile a deal, which included nan nine-acre Rodney Parade site, was completed pinch co-owners David Wright, David Buttress and Hoyoung Huh.

The caller models would impact nan WRU backing each rugby operations, pinch backstage investors having work for commercialized operations.

"The governance structures outlined by nan WRU are not acceptable," publication nan Dragons statement.

"Rugby and commercialized operations cannot beryllium separated, and nan Dragons will not motion up to a exemplary that gives america nary power of on-field performance."

Dragons, who vanished bottommost of nan United Rugby Championship past season, signed a caller Professional Rugby Agreement pinch nan WRU successful May.

They authorities that they are financially unchangeable pinch a "clear scheme to thrust improvements successful on-field performance".

They are taking ineligible proposal and, while they will proceed pinch nan consultation process, are urging nan WRU to alteration their plans.

"We are highly disappointed successful nan first proposals - they simply don't adhd up," said president Wright.

"We will proceed participating successful nan consultation and we want to find a solution.

"We are committed to securing a affirmative early for Welsh rugby and to elite rugby continuing successful Gwent, but location is nary measurement we tin work together to nan proposals arsenic they presently are.

"Welsh rugby deserves amended and nan WRU must rethink."

The consultation process ends connected Friday, 26 September and that will beryllium followed by a study being sent to nan WRU committee successful mid-October, pinch a last determination expected by nan extremity of that month.

The WRU insists nary decisions person been made and that it is consenting for plans to beryllium shaped by discussions pinch nan master clubs, players and supporters.