Wales' sport minister has met with Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney over fears of a "disconnect" between supporters and the governing body.
The WRU are currently trying to cut a professional team in west Wales by 2028, with either the Ospreys and Scarlets in the firing line. However, there's a growing pressure on the WRU - with a concerted effort being mounted to get the board to step down.
In the midst of that growing noise, Heledd Fychan MS - the Senedd's chief whip and cabinet minister for culture and sport - met with Tierney last week.
Minister Conveys Supporter Concerns
In a statement, Fychan said: "Given the importance of rugby to communities across Wales, I met with the WRU last week in my capacity as cabinet minister for culture and sport to discuss the future of professional rugby in Wales.
"I conveyed the concerns raised by supporters and stressed the importance of fully considering the impact of any decisions on clubs, communities and the long-term future of the game across Wales.
"I welcome the WRU's willingness to continue discussions as part of this process. The Welsh government will remain engaged and committed to supporting rugby at all levels across Wales."
However, on BBC Wales' podcast Walescast, Fychan confirmed that the Welsh government had no direct role in the governing body's decision-making.
"It was a good conversation," she said. "I don't think it'd be any surprise that I've received a lot of correspondence from both Scarlets and Ospreys fans. People feel really passionately.
"It was an opportunity for me to again reiterate the importance of the WRU properly engaging with communities."
Government Has No Stance on Team Numbers
Fychan confirmed that the Welsh government do not have a stance on whether three or four teams is the right way forward because the WRU is a private company.
"I was very clear in terms of this new culture and sports strategy for Wales that the future of rugby as a community game is really important as well as that professional side and that I wanted to see, as part of the proposals that they have, how are they addressing those historic concerns. What does that mean," added Fychan.
"They gave me some positive news in terms of what's been happening with women's rugby here in Wales.
"That was really positive to hear that especially because of what happened a few years ago and the concerns around that.
"But clearly people in Wales, and especially those Scarlets and Ospreys fans, currently feel they're not being listened to.
"There's that disconnect which is I think a huge concern between the WRU and the communities that they seek to work with.
"So, it was very much an opportunity to say 'please work with them' because people are concerned about the economic impact of the closure of either club as well."
Political Pressure on WRU Intensifies
This isn't the first time politicians have got involved in Welsh rugby's affairs.
Earlier this year, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee told the WRU they were out of touch with fans over the plans to cut a professional club.
Both Tierney and former chair Richard Collier-Keywood were grilled in Westminster on the controversial plans, with both told they risked "throwing the baby out with the bath water and alienating supporters".
Then, in March, politicians in the Senedd told the WRU they had "lost the argument" over the future of the professional game in this country as they appeared before a sport and culture committee.
The latest intervention by politicians is considerably more measured than those, even if it comes during a more fraught time.
In the past week, the likes of Hayley Parsons, Jonathan Davies and Rob Regan have all called upon the WRU board to stand down - while both the Ospreys and Scarlets have questioned the governing body's approach when it comes to transparency.
