Glen Webbe has called for the Ospreys and Scarlets to merge immediately, insisting the move is in the best interests of Welsh rugby as the two regions face an uncertain future.
The Welsh Rugby Union announced this week that Cardiff and Dragons are effectively safe as it attempts to cut the number of professional teams in Wales from four to three. That leaves the Ospreys and Scarlets fighting for the west licence, although supporters and politicians have scoffed at the prospect of either side disappearing.
Merge from strength
Writing on Facebook, the former Wales wing outlined a plan which would see the two regions join forces now rather than after a lengthy period of uncertainty. Webbe, 64, argued that waiting would lead to a two-year “death march”.
“If a merger is inevitable, then do it now — not after two years of destruction,” Webbe said. “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.”
He believes a proactive merger would give west Wales stability, a unified identity, financial breathing room, sponsor confidence, pathway protection and bargaining power with the WRU.
Cardiff as a trial club
Webbe also suggested that because the WRU owns Cardiff, the club could be used to trial central contracts, salary caps, player release protocols, governance changes, pathway alignment and commercial restructuring over the next two years.
“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 the idea is not adopted, the Ospreys and Scarlets are heading for a two-year fight for survival. That fight, he said, would involve both clubs burning through money they do not have, publicly undermining each other, trying to prove they deserve to exist and living under constant threat until March 2027.
