The Welsh Rugby Union has revealed a plan to axe one of the country's professional men's clubs as part of an overhaul of the sport in Wales.
WRU chiefs will make the controversial change in a bid to revive Welsh rugby union at both club and international level.
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A proposal in August had suggested cutting the four regional teams -- Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets -- down to just two.
But following a consultation process, WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said the board had unanimously agreed to implement a three-team structure "designed to deliver long-term success through rugby alignment across all levels of the game and financial sustainability".
The WRU confirmed its plans to grant three licences for men's clubs -- one for Cardiff, one in the east of Wales and one in the west.
Ospreys and Scarlets currently have deals until June 2027 and Cardiff and Dragons until 2028.
Equal funding will be given to the three teams, starting at an initial £6.4 million ($6.1 million) per year and rising to £7.8 million.
The current financial commitments to all four regions will remain for now, as will player contracts, until the conclusion of those agreements already in place.
"We have heard loud and clear from the consultation that people want a long-term fix and not a short-term patch. We have listened and we agree," Collier-Keywood said.
"Our decision is that the future structure of elite men's rugby will be based on three professional men's clubs, replacing the current four-team model, alongside two women's elite teams.
“This new system has been built from the ground up to drive success with every part aligned and every decision designed to raise standards, restore the DNA of Welsh rugby and deliver the step forward in performance that everyone in Welsh rugby craves," WRU director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, said.
“As a result of the consultation, it has moved on for good reason from the original two-club model proposed. The consultation confirmed that change is needed, and this model focuses investment where it makes the biggest difference on the pitch. But we also heard the concerns of players and the deep passion for the heritage of our teams."
