The Ospreys remain firm in their commitment to a future in Welsh rugby, despite deepening tensions between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and its professional clubs.
The region’s stance – issued to supporters on the Ospreys’ website – comes as the union formally moves to dismantle the long-standing “four equal regions” structure.
Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley has issued a direct appeal to supporters, affirming the club's stability and their planned relocation to the redeveloped St Helen’s ground in Swansea, despite increasing uncertainty following the WRU’s decision to abandon the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) signed with all four regions.
This latest chapter in Welsh rugby’s ongoing civil war comes after Ospreys and Scarlets declined to sign a revised version of the PRA—prompting the WRU to issue a two-year termination notice on the current agreement.
While the union has not explicitly confirmed that one of the four regions will be disbanded, they have given signals which point to a looming reduction in the number of fully professional teams.
For the Ospreys, that threat looms large—but Bradley remains defiant.
"We understand this kind of news can cause concern, but we want to reassure you, we are committed to building a sustainable, competitive and exciting future for the Ospreys, especially as we prepare for our move to St Helen's," said Bradley.
"We're proud of who we are, what we stand for, and the role we play in Welsh rugby.
"There are still questions to be answered, and like you, we have many of them.
"While we may not have all the clarity right now, we want you to know we're fully committed to securing not just the future of the Ospreys, but to play our part in ensuring a strong future for Welsh rugby as a whole.
"Our focus stays the same, building a strong, sustainable future for the club, and continuing to do our supporters proud."
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The WRU’s move to withdraw from the four-region funding model marks the most dramatic policy shift since regional rugby’s controversial inception in 2003. For two decades, the system—initially featuring five teams before shrinking to four—has been plagued by competing visions, financial instability, and wavering public confidence.
The revised PRA was developed under the "One Wales" vision: a collaborative strategy involving the WRU and all four regions, aiming to ensure parity of funding, shared resources, and a unified pathway from grassroots to professional rugby.
However, that vision has now unravelled.
The WRU’s restructuring plan now introduces a two-tier system—reportedly favouring regions it now directly controls, Cardiff and Dragons—both of whom signed the new agreement.
Ospreys and Scarlets, still operating independently, withheld signatures, citing concerns over competitive equity.
"The 'One Wales' strategy had been worked on collaboratively by the WRU and all four professional clubs for more than a year," said Bradley.
"The WRU's sudden U-turn away from that strategy and commitment to a 'four teams, equally funded' model for Welsh professional rugby was surprising and disappointing.
"It has raised questions for all four professional clubs, and for those who back and support them."
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Despite the political and financial uncertainty engulfing the professional game, the Ospreys' plans to leave the Swansea.com Stadium and return to a redeveloped St Helen’s remain on course.
The £5 million regeneration of the historic ground—once the home of both Swansea RFC and Glamorgan cricket—has the backing of Swansea Council.
"I'm pleased to say I can confirm the council's commitment to our redevelopment of St Helen's remains unchanged," Bradley stated.
"We're grateful for their continued support."
The WRU insists its decision was driven by the urgent need to restructure its finances and complete a debt refinancing deal that requires clarity over long-term funding.
But the fallout has been swift. A joint statement from Ospreys and Scarlets expressed anger and disbelief, accusing the union of reneging on commitments and causing further instability.
“The WRU’s sudden U-turn... has created more destabilising and debilitating uncertainty in our game,” the statement read.
The Professional Rugby Board, which governs the elite level of the game, is set to meet on Wednesday with all four regions present.
But with trust eroded and no clear roadmap for how a three-team model would function, there are more questions than answers.
READ MORE: Ospreys And Scarlets Accuse WRU Of Going Back On Promises To Fans After Massive U- Turn
