Fans should be worriedpublished at 17:57 BST
17:57 BST
Gareth Rhys Owen
BBC Radio Wales commentator
Let’s not beat about the bush. I think one of those
sides will not exist in a year or two.
Ospreys or Scarlets? Ospreys or
Scarlets…
Now, they may exist as the Ospreyian Scarlets, or they may be a team
that shares an identity between Swansea and Llanelli.
I think, ideally, the Welsh Rugby Union want to see a
merger. And at this point in time, they are common enemies, and they
have a kind friendship between them.
But they will start finger pointing and
looking at each other. They both have their strengths.
I think Ospreys
represents Swansea, a larger population. It’s a large city. It has much
success. It’s probably the most successful Welsh region over the past 20 years. It does not have the heritage of the Scarlets. It does not have the stadium of
the Scarlets, although the Scarlets themselves do not own it. It’s owned by
Carmarthenshire Council.
So, right now, it’s valid to think that if you are a
supporter of either of those regions, you should be worried.
And also, the
plans for Swansea Council to redevelop St Helens, that is thrown completely up
in the air, because would they want to pump any more money into it, knowing
that there’s uncertainty about the team’s future?
It’s greyer than it was this
morning, although we do have some clarity about there being one team being cut.