Richard Collier-Keywood and Dave Reddin now want to go to three teams, having initially wanted two sides in WalesFrom left: Richard Collier-Keywood, WRU chairman, Dave Reddin, WRU director of rugby and elite performance and Abi Tierney, WRU chief executive(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

“The pen of FAW chief executive Alun Evans and the others who appointed (Mike) Smith should be drained of the ink, emptied by letters of resignation,” read the back page of the South Wales Echo in November 1994, after the national football team had been humbled by Georgia in Tbilisi.

We are long past the days of pens running dry, but – for the man who seemingly cares little for when the pubs ran dry – resignation is surely a distinct possibility.

Dave Reddin always said he would listen to feedback, but there’s no doubt his ‘optimal’ solution of halving Wales’ pro teams was the best course of action in his eyes, no matter how ferocious the backlash was.

Friday showed the two-club model won’t happen. Instead, the plan is now to cut from four to three.

The swift implosion of Reddin’s initial masterplan could arguably lead many within Welsh rugby to feel heads need to roll. One suspects Reddin himself is more than a little frustrated to have his supposed expertise roundly rejected by all those around him.

On Friday though, WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and director of rugby and elite performance Reddin did their best to spin this into a positive.

In the Principality Stadium’s President’s Lounge, a plan was put forward with little in the way of detail on how to get there.

On the occasion journalists asked questions after Collier-Keywood’s one-man show, tutting could be heard from some of the WRU’s board members, who were sat at the back of the room for this.

Reddin, too, seemed a little tetchy when the WRU’s plans were questioned.

While Collier-Keywood – a man who seems to love the stage – insisted there was “huge benefit in the heritage” of the existing clubs, Reddin was fairly dismissive of history when he said he wasn’t focused on “who beat the All Blacks 40 years ago”.

WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

That comment alone has caused a bit of a stir.

With the Scarlets and Ospreys seemingly in the firing line now, every soundbite and quote is going to be jumped on by two sets of fearful fans.

It’ll be the same for players and other stakeholders.

The reaction from players on Friday was said to be that they are frankly just tired of it all. They’re not stupid and they can recognise more uncertainty when it’s served up, regardless of the spin on offer.

On Monday, they join up in Wales camp, just days after being told that jobs will definitely be on the line – amid more pipe dreams and promises.

Because here lies the problem for Collier-Keywood and Reddin.

Seven months ago, the WRU were telling the world there was enough talent and money for four teams. Suddenly, scrap that, there wasn’t

Then, two months ago, they were adamant two clubs was the way forward. Alas, it is not.

Three clubs, we were told in the WRU’s 90-page document that boasted its fair share of inaccuracies, was a ‘poor’ option in terms of feasibility.

Now, some more “data” has apparently been crunched, and we are promised we will get to that number. Ideally, as soon as next season.

That requires buy-in from the clubs and the United Rugby Championship that borders on fanciful.

Collier-Keywood claimed a west Wales merger would be an ideal solution. So would beating the All Blacks next month – but we’re not sticking the mortgage on that one.

It feels like the WRU’s ideal scenario is the Ospreys’ owners, Y11, buying Cardiff. They have previously shown interest and the WRU weren’t exactly subtle in encouraging those inside Welsh rugby from looking at purchasing the Arms Park club.

Earlier in the summer, some within the WRU were at pains to note that Y11’s commitment to Welsh rugby was stronger than naysayers think.

But, regardless of what the WRU want, none of this seems straightforward to get us to a solution. Nowhere close.

Whether it’s a merger, a takeover or whatever else, it’s bound to be arduous, unpleasant and beyond difficult. Reddin and “natural optimist in life” Collier-Keywood are confident they can get there.

They still believe their positions are tenable having not pushed through their initial optimal solution. That is debatable.

There would be little doubt left if their next-best plan were to crumble around them.

Because then, their pens would surely be drained of the ink needed to write their resignations.

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