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New Ospreys chairman: 'PRB cynically left it to the regions to have a shoot-out for survival'

The back-and-forth between the Ospreys, Scarlets and PRB continued on Wednesday.

INCOMING OSPREYS CHAIRMAN Rob Davies has described the saga surrounding a proposed merger with the Scarlets as a “stitch-up of convenience” and declared the plans “dead”.

Reports emerged earlier this week that the rival teams could join forces as part of an overhaul of the professional game in Wales, with a new region created in the north of the country.

Davies’ predecessor Mike James resigned at the start of a Professional Rugby Board (PRB) meeting amid the turmoil on Tuesday, citing the Welsh Rugby Union’s “catastrophic mismanagement” of efforts to restructure the sport.

The Liberty Stadium side later denied a merger will go ahead, hitting out at the PRB’s “chaotic approach to its own imposed restructuring criteria”.

The PRB then released a statement claiming the merger was “a central component” of a proposal that was set to be finalised on Tuesday and that the Ospreys’ version of events ”do not reconcile with the minuted meetings, actions and documented agreements that have taken place to date”.

The Scarlets on Wednesday stated that terms had been agreed for a merger, but the plans – which the Llanelli outfit say were originally suggested by the Ospreys – have now been scrapped.

“There are three stark realities,” said new Ospreys chairman Davies. ”Firstly, the concept of an Ospreys-Scarlets merger is dead and the clock is ticking. 

“Secondly, Wales was promised a comprehensive review with nothing off the table, but nothing has yet been put on the table.

Thirdly, the PRB cynically left it to the regions to have a shoot-out for survival with the clear direction that a region in the west should go and make room for a fourth in the north. We are now where we are as a result. 

“It’s hard to look at this situation and not conclude that a stitch-up of convenience has just unravelled before us all. There isn’t a ‘plan B’, because there was never a ‘plan A’. 

Even the PRB has said a western merger was central to their planning, which is frankly mind-boggling. Wishful thinking is not an acceptable replacement for responsible decision making.

 

“It’s now time for the grown-ups to get back in the room. It’s time for experienced strategic planning, robust consultation and a methodical process to emerge that is transparent, timely and carries with it the full range of the sport’s stakeholders. And this is what I will be discussing with Union and PRB officials over the coming days.”

- Omni

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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jan 31st 2025, 6:26 AM

    Really tight between IRL and FRA but I’m going for IRL based on home advantage in the head to head. GS to boot.

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    Mute cian nolan
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    Jan 31st 2025, 8:32 AM

    Ireland. Slam. Sláinte.

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    Mute jajosullivan@aol.com
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    Jan 31st 2025, 8:11 AM

    A brief dip in form in the Autumn after 4 years of constant top quality rugby Inc summer Lions, NZ, SA tours but everyone is now fit and playing well. Competition for position with options left out of the squad if required for injuries. Nothing is certain but we are in a great position.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 31st 2025, 10:38 AM

    France.

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    Mute Noel Lynn
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    Jan 31st 2025, 11:02 AM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: Oh u of little faith

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:29 PM

    @Noel Lynn: Just being realistic. They have Dupont and Ntamack back. We were poor in the autumn. Faz isn’t here… Wouldn’t be surprised if we were 3rd or 4th. But hopefully I’m wrong!

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:45 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: ray ridge is effecting you lol but ya i hope your wrong too but france will be fave’s

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Jan 31st 2025, 10:28 AM

    Ireland, but I would have preferred Andy in the driving seat!!

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    Mute Luke mc govern
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    Jan 31st 2025, 12:13 PM

    With Dupont and Ntamack together again I just think they’ll be too strong.

    I don’t Ireland will change things up too much with Farrell out and it feels like other teams have managed to counter our attack to some extent. Maybe the new direct around kick chaser will help though as I feel Ireland are good under the auld box kick

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    Mute Michael Corkery
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    Jan 31st 2025, 1:06 PM

    @Luke mc govern: we’ve beaten them before with Dupont and N’tamak. Yes they’ll be much stronger than the team we trashed in Marseille but I still just about fancy us.

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:47 PM

    @Luke mc govern: Yes ireland need to try few different things if they cant break teams down like kicking more

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 31st 2025, 3:44 PM

    Ireland

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