Carmarthenshire County Council has expressed serious concern about the transparency and fairness of the Welsh Rugby Union’s ongoing review of regional rugby, after being made aware of comments made by the WRU’s Chief Executive Abi Tierney in a recorded briefing to journalists, in which she favoured offering a professional rugby licence for just one team in west Wales.

The revelation was greeted with great dismay by Cllr Linda Evans, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, who is calling on the WRU to clarify its position.

"We are aware of the reported recording involving the Union’s Chief Executive and are shocked by the implications it raises for the credibility of the regional rugby review,” stated Cllr Evans.

“The WRU has repeatedly stated that the future structure of professional rugby in Wales would be considered through a transparent and impartial process. Any suggestion that a preferred outcome has already been identified would be extremely troubling and would risk undermining confidence among supporters, clubs, communities and stakeholders across Wales.

Linda Evans Carmarthenshire
"We are aware of the reported recording involving the Union’s Chief Executive and are shocked by the implications it raises for the credibility of the regional rugby review,” stated Cllr Linda Evans, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council (Carmarthenshire County Council)

"This is of significant concern, given the importance of the Scarlets to Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and the wider West Wales region, and the repeated assurances that any decision about the future of professional rugby in Wales would be reached through a fair, open and evidence-based process.

“The Scarlets are a cornerstone of sporting, cultural and economic life in Carmarthenshire. Their presence supports jobs, local businesses, community identity and the wider reputation of Llanelli and West Wales. Decisions about their future must not be made behind closed doors or on the basis of predetermined assumptions.

“We are calling on the WRU to provide urgent and clear assurances that no decision has been made on the future allocation of professional licences, that all options remain genuinely open, and that the evidence underpinning the review will be shared in full with affected regions and stakeholders.

“The future of Welsh rugby is too important for anything less than a process that is robust, transparent, fair and based on clear evidence.”

The Council notes that the WRU has previously set out its intention to review the structure of professional rugby in Wales, including consideration of a reduction in the number of men’s professional teams as part of wider reforms to the domestic game.

Carmarthenshire County Council believes any such review must fully recognise the sporting, cultural, social and economic contribution of the Scarlets and the importance of professional rugby to communities across West Wales.

The Council will continue to monitor developments closely and will work with partners to ensure that the voice of Carmarthenshire, Llanelli and Scarlets supporters is heard clearly as the future of regional rugby in Wales is considered.