Scarlets managing director Daniels rejects Ospreys merger amid WRU plans to cut regions

On 5 August 2026, Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels rejected the prospect of a merger with the Ospreys and called for greater transparency from the Welsh Rugby Union after the WRU outlined plans to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three by 2028.

Jon Daniels has been at Scarlets for over 20 years. Welsh rugby's governing body has outlined its plans to cut the number of professional teams from four to three by 2028, with Cardiff and Dragons set to be given licences. That announcement has plunged Scarlets and Ospreys into doubt, with the west licence either being awarded to the Llanelli-based side or their Swansea-based rivals. A proposed merger between the two western regions, which was close but ultimately scrapped in 2019, is not being considered now according to Daniels.

"There is currently no merger proposal on the table, so no, that is not an active discussion," said Daniels. "Before we enter that phase of things, we have to collectively understand why we have to go from four to three [teams] in the first place."

Daniels said Scarlets see scope to continue with four Welsh regions and want the WRU to set out the rationale for removing a team in the west. "From a club perspective, we feel that the decision, and the justification, for moving from four to three needs more work," Daniels added. "I understand that there is data which has been used to come up with this decision. It hasn't been shared. We will really call for transparency in that discussion. "These are decisions that are going to have a long-lasting effect, not just on rugby, but on communities in west Wales. I think that needs a proper airing publicly."

On the wider question of how to approach any reduction in regions, Daniels said Scarlets want to see the debate broadened beyond the west. "Our position is that before you can come out and make statements which have such an impact on people in Wales, I still feel there is a discussion and justification needed for the move to reduce the number of teams. "Welsh rugby should be able to accommodate four teams, just as they do in Ireland and other countries. "If there is data and evidence that we can't, then let's have the discussion about how you reduce the number of teams. "Even then, I think we would struggle to see how that should be isolated to the west and not be a broader Welsh rugby challenge to face."

Daniels said the club must prevent off-field uncertainty from affecting on-field performance and wants supporters, players and staff united in defending Scarlets' future. "What we can control is how we prepare for this coming season, and we can show, both on and off the field, why Scarlets is such an integral part of Welsh rugby," Daniels added. "The history, the heritage, the Welsh language, and also the facilities such as Parc y Scarlets. [We must] continue to develop Welsh international players as we always have done. "If this continues, and this is how it will be, we are facing a battle. We have to be up for the fight. "Our message is that we are here and we aim to stay here, continuing to play a key role in Welsh rugby. "We are going to fight, and we want them [supporters] to fight with us."

WRU chiefs have said the process to decide the framework for the final decision will begin in December and finish before the end of the 2026-27 campaign. That timeline is the next confirmed step in determining whether the west licence will be held by Scarlets or the Ospreys.