Dwayne Peel has cast doubt on the appeal of two new start-up teams in Wales and suggested coaches will share the misgivings of players.
The Scarlets coach has underlined the importance of heritage, tradition and affinity to those currently working in the domestic game at elite level.
His comments - just three days before the start of the new United Rugby Championship season - follow the same stance taken by the Welsh Rugby Players Association who have insisted many players would rather leave Wales than play for two new entities, should the WRU decide to create them.
Peel - who led his team to the URC play-offs last season and was the only coach of a Welsh team to do so - was asked his thoughts on the prospect of working for new entities should the WRU’s plan to cut the number of professional teams from four to two not gain acceptance from the current four.
“I'd say that I'm a proud Scarlet and I’m from this region,” he said.
“I think that heritage and DNA, a cause to play for, is something big. I think that's my stance on it, and it always has been.
“I think that you need to be able to play for something and represent someone.
“For me, sitting here as a Scarlets head coach, but also as a Scarlets fan from when I was wearing nappies really, I think that has been a big driver for me - that we represent the club and represent the town and further afield, to represent the region.
“I think the DNA and heritage is very important.”
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Peel was part of the Scarlets group that was consulted by the WRU two weeks ago.
That meeting followed one with the Dragons - who were highly critical of the Union’s “optimum solution” - and another with the WRPA, who claimed many of their members would rather play outside of Wales than for teams with no history.
As for the feeling among coaches, Peel added: “I think that option - for staying or leaving - is obviously an individual thing and I think it all depends on what proposal is put in front of the coach.
“I think that's an individual decision on whether they like it or not, and the approach, and do they want to be part of it moving forward.
“The consultation is ongoing, so until we get some clarity on what the final result is, I think it's very hard to make that judgement on whether you're going to stay or whether you're going to leave.
“I think that you need to have the details in front of you and then make your own decision.”
Like the other three regional head coaches, Peel has tried to navigate a difficult summer of uncertainty and anxiety among his squad.
The former Wales and Lions scrum-half - whose team host Munster on Saturday in their opening fixture - has restated his belief that the Scarlets have to be part of any new structure in Wales.
But the conviction is currently being tested by WRU director of rugby Dave Reddin and his proposals to cut from four to just two.
“There's a consultation going on and there's things that are out of our control but from a clarity perspective all we can do is try to be upfront and as honest as to the information we've had with the process that's going on and the consultation,” added Peel.
"That's what we're focused on. I think you can waste all your energy worrying about the uncertainty.
“There is going to be elements of anxiety, undoubtedly across the game and every every fan, every player, every coach, every staff member of this club - and also the other four regions - are going to be feeling the same .
“But we've got a job to do on Saturday and to be fair, the boys have been brilliant with us.
“I can't imagine Welsh rugby without it (the Scarlets), to be honest, because I feel strongly that it's been a pivotal club and entity in this country.”
