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Huw Evans Picture AgencyFormer Ospreys players including Shane Williams, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones and James Hook have united to call for a “rethink” amid uncertainty over the region’s future.
Doubts have emerged over whether Ospreys will exist as a professional side beyond the 2026-27 season after the region’s owners, Y11 Sport & Media, were named by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) as the preferred option to buy rivals Cardiff.
The governing body wants to reduce the number of men’s professional teams in Wales from four to three, which could be achieved by eliminating Ospreys as a top-tier side through the Y11 takeover process.
A group of ex-players, which also includes the likes of Barrie Williams, Ian Gough, Richard Hibbard, Paul James and Tommy Bowe as well as former coaches and staff including Sean Holley, have responded by issuing a joint statement urging the union and Y11 “to pause the current process and rethink their approach”.
“What is being proposed puts at risk the future of professional rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the redevelopment of an historic rugby venue at St Helen’s,” the statement added.
“It is also important to recognise how little support these proposals appear to have across the wider Welsh rugby community.
“In particular, Ospreys and Cardiff supporters are united in their opposition and their concern about the future for their respective teams.”
The former Ospreys say “the time is right to speak up” over the WRU and Y11 plans.
They say they are willing to meet the union, either individually or collectively, to share their “experience” and “help shape a positive future for Welsh rugby”.
“What the game needs is confidence, consistency and collaboration – not constant shifts in direction, where four teams, then two, then three are all presented as the ‘optimal’ solution within a single year,” the statement added.
‘Cutting a team comes with no guarantee of success’
The former Ospreys point out that rugby in Wales enjoyed “an incredible period of success” built on “four strong teams” following the introduction of regional rugby 23 years ago.
They argue that sport “always goes in cycles” and that removing a region is not the answer as Welsh rugby seeks an upturn in fortunes.
“You don’t quit because you didn’t win. You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild,” the statement continued.
“A lack of long-term investment and clear planning by previous regimes has left Welsh rugby in a difficult place.
“But real progress will only come through working together. Cutting a team comes with no guarantee of future success. We believe it more likely to lead to the opposite scenario, with Welsh rugby caught in a downward spiral.”
The former Ospreys praised current head coach Mark Jones, his staff and players for showing “absolute commitment” despite the uncertainty over the club’s future.
They are currently eighth in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and will take on Ulster in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.
The group also cite the example of Connacht, who the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) considered disbanding to cut costs in 2003.
After the plans were scrapped amid much opposition, Connacht have thrived as one of four Irish men’s professional teams, even winning the league title in 2016.
“For many of us, it was impossible not to notice the scenes in Galway at the weekend, where a record crowd celebrated the opening of Connacht’s redeveloped stadium,” the former Ospreys said.
“That happened because when presented with the same challenges [as Welsh rugby faces now], the IRFU listened to the weight of public opinion, paused, and changed direction. It is not too late for the WRU to do the same.”
