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Glen Webbe believes a merger is in the best interests of Welsh rugby
Former Wales wing Glen Webbe believes an immediate merger between the Ospreys and Scarlets would be the best solution for Welsh rugby.
This week the Welsh Rugby Union announced both Cardiff and Dragons were effectively safe as they attempt to reduce the number of professional teams in Wales from four to three.
This leaves both the Ospreys and Scarlets fighting for the west licence but supporters and politicians have scoffed at the prospect of one of those sides becoming extinct.
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But Webbe took to social media to outline his plan for Welsh rugby, which includes a merger.
He believes a merger is the smart move or the two sides will face a two-year “death march”.
“If a merger is inevitable, then do it now — not after two years of destruction,” said Webbe on Facebook.
“Merge now, and you merge from strength. Merge later, and it’s a rescue mission.
“This isn’t about abandoning history. It’s about protecting it.
“A strong, unified West Wales region created now — on equal terms — is far better than a desperate merger in 2027 when one side is already on its knees.”
Webbe is of the opinion a proactive merger would give west Wales stability, a unified identity, financial breathing room, sponsor confidence, pathway protection and bargaining power with the WRU.
The 64-year-old also believes that since the WRU owns Cardiff it should use the club to trial a number of changes over the next two years.
Webbe has suggested Cardiff could be used to trial central contracts, salary caps, player release protocols, governance changes, pathway alignment and commercial restructuring.
“But the WRU already owns Cardiff. That single fact changes the landscape completely — and it opens up a concept that could stabilise the entire system without tearing anything down,” he said.
He insists that if this idea isn’t adopted, the Ospreys and Scarlets are heading for a two-year fight for survival.
He thinks this fight will entail both clubs burning through money they don’t have, publicly undermining each other, trying to prove they deserve to exist and living under constant threat until March 2027.
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