In a withering critique of the WRU’s strategy, the group have also gone further by claiming the whole idea of cutting one professional team is misguided.
In a strongly worded statement, the former players have warned that reducing the game to three teams risks long-term damage rather than revival.
The intervention comes at a critical moment for Welsh rugby after Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media were named by the WRU as the preferred bidders to buy rivals Cardiff, a move that has intensified fears the Swansea-based region could cease to exist as a top-tier professional side beyond the 2026-27 season.
The WRU has made clear its desire to reduce the number of men’s professional teams from four to three, a goal that could be achieved through the proposed takeover.
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In response, a wide-ranging group of former Ospreys players and staff — including Shane Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones, James Hook, Tommy Bowe, Richard Hibbard, Paul James, Barrie Williams and Ian Gough, along with former coaches and staff such as Sean Holley — have united to publicly challenge the governing body’s direction.
Their statement urges the WRU and Y11 to halt the current process, arguing that the plans threaten not only the future of the Ospreys but professional rugby across an entire region of Wales.
"We support the call made by Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart for the WRU and Y11 to pause the current process and rethink their approach," read the statement from a group of former Ospreys.
"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.
"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.
"Change is needed, but it must be built through partnership, not imposed by one side alone.
"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."
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The statement has amplified concerns already being voiced by supporters and local authorities.
Y11’s bid to purchase Cardiff has placed the redevelopment of St Helen’s in doubt, with Swansea Council unwilling to release funding without firm guarantees from the WRU that the Ospreys will continue as a professional outfit beyond 2026-27.
The former players argue the proposals lack support across the wider rugby community and warn that the constant shifting of strategy is eroding confidence in the game’s leadership.
"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."
They say the current moment demands collective action and clarity rather than another structural overhaul.
"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.
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Drawing on their own experiences, the group point to the success Wales enjoyed in the early years of regional rugby, when four strong teams underpinned domestic and international achievements.
The former Ospreys also insist that poor results should not be met with contraction, but with reform and investment.
"You don't quit because you didn't win. You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild," the statement continued.
They highlighted the example of Connacht, whom the Irish Rugby Football Union once considered disbanding, only to later thrive after the decision was reversed.
"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."
Despite the uncertainty hanging over the region, the former players praised the commitment of current head coach Mark Jones, his staff and squad, who sit eighth in the United Rugby Championship and are preparing for a Challenge Cup last-16 tie against Ulster.
The group have also made clear they are willing to engage directly with the WRU, either individually or collectively, to share their experience and help shape what they believe could still be a positive future.
With respected figures from across the Ospreys’ history now publicly united, their statement has become one of the strongest challenges yet to the WRU’s plans.
It echoes calls from clubs seeking to hold an extraodinary general meeting who also demanded the governing body pauses, listens and rethinks before making a decision that could permanently reshape Welsh rugby.
Former Ospreys Players statement in full:
As former Ospreys, we feel the time is right to speak up and show our support for the current players and staff during what is clearly a very difficult and uncertain time. It’s hard to imagine the pressure they’re under, yet they continue to perform with pride in the badge, and absolute commitment – just as we saw again on Saturday.
Mark Jones and his coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they are leading in the middle of all this uncertainty. Unfortunately, both the WRU and Y11 have provided very little clarity about their plans, and even now, after the announcement of a preferred buyer for Cardiff, there is still no real explanation of what this means for the Ospreys.
We support the call made by Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart for the WRU 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.
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.
Following the restructure in 2003 Welsh rugby enjoyed an incredible period of success, a golden era that compares to any other.
Six Six Nations titles, four Grand Slams (more than any other nation in this period) and sustained international competitiveness were built on four strong teams. Three of the four professional teams have lifted major trophies, and only Leinster have won the Celtic League more times than the Ospreys.
Sport always goes in cycles. There are highs and lows, good years and tough years. No team wins everything, all of the time. You don’t quit because you didn’t win. You work harder, adapt, change and rebuild. The challenges are what make the successes more special.
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. Change is needed, but it must be built through partnership, not imposed by one side alone.
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.
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.
That happened because when presented with the same challenges 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.
We know the road ahead will be bumpy but we firmly believe that Welsh rugby can recover if there is a clear, stable and shared vision.
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.
Between us, we have decades of experience at the highest level of the game and a deep connection to the Ospreys, our community clubs and the national team.
We are ready to meet with the WRU, individually or collectively, to share that experience and help shape a positive future for Welsh rugby.
