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The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond 07:53, 01 Dec 2025Updated 10:10, 01 Dec 2025 Eben…
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Scarlets and Ospreys dominate Wales squad for South Africa finale amid regional rugby uncertainty
The Principality Stadium fixture (kick‑off 3.10pm, live on TNT Sports, discovery+ and S4C) is Wales’ final Quilter Nations Series match of 2025. Tandy said the group was “excited” to build on recent performances despite being restricted to Wales‑based players because the game falls outside World Rugby’s international window.
Reinforcements after player exodus
Thirteen players have returned to their clubs in England and France this week, including Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams and Louis Rees‑Zammit. Their departure left gaps across the squad, particularly in the back three, where Josh Adams is also suspended following his red card against Japan.
In response, Tandy has called up Ospreys forwards James Ratti and uncapped prop Garyn Phillips, Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd. Mee, 22, made his Test debut in the Six Nations against Ireland and is regarded as strong in the air and dangerous in broken play. Ratti brings versatility in the lock and back row, while Phillips, who toured Japan last summer, is rewarded with his first senior call‑up. Lloyd replaces Cardiff teammate Liam Belcher, who is sidelined with a neck injury.
Scarlets and Ospreys at the core
Scarlets and Ospreys dominate the selection, with 18 of the 30 players drawn from west Wales. The Ospreys provide 12 names, including captain Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Davies, Morgan Morse and Kieran Hardy. The Scarlets contribute six, among them Taine Plumtree, Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee.
Their prominence underlines the strength of the two clubs in supplying talent to the national side, even as both face uncertainty under the WRU’s proposed regional rugby restructuring. Civic leaders and supporters have warned that the changes risk destabilising west Wales rugby, despite its players continuing to form the backbone of the national squad.
Fresh faces and uncapped talent
The revised squad also features several uncapped players. Ospreys trio Garyn Phillips, James Fender and Ben Warren are joined by Cardiff prop Danny Southworth in seeking their first senior appearances. Their inclusion reflects the WRU’s commitment to blooding new talent alongside established internationals, with the autumn finale offering a chance to test depth against the world champions.
Springboks reshuffle too
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has also been forced into changes, with 15 players returning to clubs in Japan and South Africa ahead of a full round of United Rugby Championship fixtures. “We are going to lose quite a few players,” Erasmus admitted, adding that the Springboks would train with only 25 players this week. Despite the absences, he stressed the importance of the clash with Wales for world ranking points, describing it as “another massive Test match” to close the year.
Full Wales squad
Forwards: Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Garyn Phillips (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Ben Warren (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), James Fender (Ospreys), James Ratti (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Harri Deaves (Ospreys).
Backs: Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Reuben Morgan‑Williams (Ospreys), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets).
Match details
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WRU outlines next steps in elite rugby restructure amid backlash
WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, Dave Reddin, said the transition will be collaborative, fair and focused on the long‑term strength of Welsh rugby.
Consultation marks “start of the next phase”
The WRU began consultation in August, engaging widely with clubs, players and stakeholders. Reddin said the announcement of the board’s decision was a milestone, but stressed that the detailed work now begins.
“We have already met with each of the four professional sides in a structured way and will be working through the detail with them all,” he explained. “We’ll look together at everything from financial stability and governance to player development, community connection, facilities and demographics.”
Difficult decisions ahead
Reddin acknowledged that deciding which three teams will continue in the new model will be challenging. “Every team carries its own heritage supported by a passionate community, and that deserves full respect,” he said. “But we have to balance this with the shared goal of building something sustainable, competitive and fit for future success on and off the field.”
The WRU will also continue discussions with the United Rugby Championship (URC) to ensure the new structure works for the competition, and will meet with the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) to keep players at the heart of planning.
Backlash across Wales
The proposals have sparked fierce opposition across South and West Wales, with community leaders, politicians and fans voicing anger at the potential loss of historic clubs. In Llanelli, councillors branded the WRU’s plan “a back of a fag packet proposal” and warned it would devastate the Scarlets’ future. The town’s mayor joined thousands of supporters in a “Save Our Scarlets” march, accusing the WRU of ignoring Llanelli’s rugby heritage.
In Swansea, civic leaders slammed the three‑club plan as “not fit for purpose,” warning it would undermine the Ospreys and damage the city’s rugby identity. Meanwhile, MPs have criticised the WRU, describing the move as a “U‑turn” and accusing the union of “bully boy tactics.” This backlash has highlighted the depth of feeling in communities where rugby is seen as central to local identity, and has raised questions about whether consensus can be reached.
No deadline set
WRU Chair Richard Collier‑Keywood has confirmed there is no fixed deadline for the process. “We’re not setting an arbitrary deadline,” Reddin said. “Everyone wants certainty, but rushing could risk getting it wrong. We are hopeful of reaching a consensus as quickly as possible. If that is not possible, we will move to an open, fair and transparent competitive tender for the three future licences – one in the capital, one in the East and one in the West of Wales.”
Commitment to clubs and players
Reddin stressed that Wales will continue to field four professional sides during the transition period. “Our commitment to the URC remains absolute. We also have commitments to the current agreements in place with the four professional clubs and to honouring the contracts of players,” he said.
£28m investment in Welsh rugby
Alongside the restructure, the WRU is preparing detailed plans for investment in five key areas: men’s player development, the women’s elite programme, a national talent insights and management scheme, coaching investment, and the new Super Rygbi Cymru competition. The WRU has pledged £28m over five years to support these pillars, which Reddin said will bring “hugely positive change to the game.”
The WRU say that more detail is set to be published in the coming weeks.
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Llanelli councillors slam WRU’s “back of a fag packet” plan to cut West Wales rugby teams
Scarlets and Ospreys pitched into a fight for survival
The WRU’s announcement on Friday set out plans that would leave just three professional sides in Wales: one in the east, one in Cardiff, and one in the west. That pits the Scarlets and Ospreys against each other in what critics describe as a damaging “dogfight” for survival.
Cllr Greaney said the move would alienate fans at a time when Welsh rugby should be working to grow its support base. He accused the WRU of ignoring grassroots opinion and pushing ahead with a merger plan that risks “destroying rugby in West Wales.”
“Immense” support for Scarlets in Llanelli
Llanelli Town Council leader David Darkin said the Scarlets’ survival was vital not only for rugby but for the local economy.
“The support for the Scarlets to survive in Llanelli is immense. Thousands of fans and townsfolk signed a petition to keep the region alive,” he said.
Cllr Darkin pointed to the club’s heritage, its Parc y Scarlets stadium, and the 340 jobs linked to the team. He added that the region is forecast to be worth £100 million to the local economy over the next five years, warning it would be “unwise” to jeopardise that.
MP calls for constructive dialogue
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith also voiced her support, insisting the Scarlets still have “an extremely important role to play” in the future of Welsh rugby.
She said Llanelli’s proud rugby history, first-class facilities and tradition of player development should secure its place in the professional game.
“There is now a need for positive and constructive dialogue between the regions and the WRU,” she said, adding that grassroots clubs must be central to those conversations.
Fans fear “monumental folly”
Cllr Greaney warned that the WRU’s plan to retain a team in East Wales, preserve Cardiff, and force the Scarlets and Ospreys into a merger was “a monumental folly of historic proportions.”
He said uncertainty now clouds the future of both West Wales teams, with the WRU “totally out of touch with the grassroots.”
Scarlets and Ospreys face fight for survival as WRU confirms three‑club model
One in the east, one in the capital, one in the west
The WRU Board has confirmed its new structure will see three professional men’s clubs: one in east Wales, one in Cardiff, and one in the west. That secures the Dragons’ future in Newport and guarantees a capital‑based side, but leaves the Scarlets and Ospreys in direct competition for the single West Wales licence.
Collier‑Keywood told reporters: “That’s not what we’re saying at all. There will only be one club in the west, but the clubs can apply. One of them may make a bid for Cardiff, or merge. We’d rather this be done by consent.”
‘Wales’ most successful region’ will continue to engage with WRU say Ospreys
The Ospreys, Wales’ most decorated region, issued a statement following meetings with the WRU:
“Ospreys Rugby met with Malcolm Wall and Dave Reddin from the WRU this morning, where they laid out their plans for Welsh rugby.
Ospreys are Wales’ most successful region, having won more league titles, produced players who’ve won more Welsh caps and been selected for more British and Irish Lions tours than any other region.
We will continue to engage with the WRU with the intention of reaching an agreement which continues that proud tradition. Our intention is and always has been to find a solution which works in the best interests of Welsh rugby and Ospreys Rugby, not only at an elite level but across the entirety of the game and the communities involved in it.”
Scarlets confident of future role in West Wales
The Scarlets Board of Directors said they are confident the club will continue to play a central role in the future of the game in West Wales from its home at Parc y Scarlets.
In a detailed statement, the board called on supporters and stakeholders to embrace the long‑term opportunity of Scarlets “championing the future of sustainable and successful pro rugby based in West Wales.”
The club highlighted its record of two league titles, 12 European quarter‑finals and five European semi‑finals, its role in producing 34% of Wales internationals over the last decade, and its deep cultural and economic impact — adding £17m annually to the local economy and engaging more than 40,000 young people each year through its community foundation.
Scarlets also stressed the unique facilities at Parc y Scarlets, describing it as a “ready‑made high‑performance and commercial hub” for the professional and community game.
The board concluded: “Rugby must stay connected to its communities, people and history and its values. That’s what gives our game its soul. We want reform that strengthens Welsh rugby. With Scarlets in the future structure, Welsh rugby keeps a proven talent pathway, an internationally respected brand and a first‑class home for rugby at Parc y Scarlets.”
Cardiff reassured, Dragons secure
Cardiff Rugby said it was “relieved and encouraged” after being assured one of the three licences will be in the capital. The Dragons are also seen as secure under the east allocation.
What happens next
The WRU has pledged to honour existing Professional Rugby Agreement contracts — with the Scarlets and Ospreys tied in until 2027, and Cardiff and Dragons until 2028. But Collier‑Keywood has made clear he wants the new model in place “as quickly as possible”.
For now, the Scarlets and Ospreys — the two clubs that have defined West Wales rugby for two decades — are locked in a battle for survival, whether through merger, relocation or the loss of one side altogether.
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WRU to cut to three teams as players told dramatic news
Welsh rugby will have three teams going forward, although four will remain for now 13:03, 24 Oct 2025Updated…
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WRU expected to announce plan to cut to three professional sides by 2028
Four regions safe for now
Reports suggest the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) will confirm its long‑term strategy in the coming days, following months of consultation and debate.
The governing body is understood to favour a three‑team model, with one side in the east, one central and one in the west. That would mean Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets continue for now, but one region could be lost before the end of the current United Rugby Championship (URC) cycle in 2028.
From four options to one
Back in August, the WRU put forward four possible futures for the professional game. Two involved cutting to three teams, one with equal funding and one with unequal. Another suggested halving to two sides – described as the “optimal system” – while the fourth kept four teams but with a financial reshuffle.
The two‑team option provoked fierce opposition from players, supporters and politicians, with more than 7,000 people responding to a public survey. Wales captain Jac Morgan warned he would leave the domestic game if Ospreys were axed.
Stakeholder pressure
It is also understood that tournament organisers were reluctant to see an immediate reduction, with the URC keen to maintain four Welsh teams alongside its Irish, Scottish, Italian and South African participants.
The WRU’s current URC commitments run until the end of the 2027‑28 season, meaning any change would align with the next league cycle.
What happens next
While no official statement has yet been published by the WRU, reports indicate the governing body will announce its decision before the end of October.
If confirmed, the plan would provide short‑term stability for all four regions but leave the longer‑term future of professional rugby in Wales uncertain.
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Scarlets boosted by return of internationals for Sharks clash
Rogers, Mathias, Ball and Lousi back in the XV
Tom Rogers, Kemsley Mathias, Jake Ball and Sam Lousi all come back from injury and go straight into the starting line‑up following last weekend’s defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.
Rogers resumes on the wing, with Blair Murray switching to full‑back. Joe Roberts partners skipper Johnny Williams in midfield, while Dane Blacker starts at scrum‑half in place of Archie Hughes. Sam Costelow continues at fly‑half.
In the pack, Mathias makes his first appearance of the season at loose‑head, joining hooker Marnus van der Merwe and tight‑head Archer Holz in the front row. Ball returns from head injury protocols to partner Harvey Cuckson in the second row, while Lousi is named at blindside flanker alongside openside Dan Davis and No. 8 Taine Plumtree.
Peel: “We have to be bold”
Head coach Dwayne Peel said the squad must continue to play with ambition despite a difficult start to the campaign.
“Obviously, we have been disappointed with results so far, but we can’t go into our shells in terms of how we want to play. We have to keep being bold and encourage the boys to go out and play,” he said.
“The Sharks are a dangerous team — you only have to look at their line‑up, 13 current Springboks, some of the best players in the world. The challenge for us is we need to be a collective, the boys have to fight for each other. What an opportunity and what a challenge for our guys.”
Scarlets team to face Hollywoodbets Sharks
Saturday, October 25 – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban (15:00 UK time; Premier Sports)
Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams (capt), 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Alex Groves, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
Unavailable (injury/illness): Max Douglas, Josh Macleod, Ryan Elias, Eddie James, Jac Price, Osian Williams, Will Evans, Dom Kossuth.
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