George Rees-Julian

Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels has rejected the idea of merging with the Ospreys, saying no merger proposal is currently under discussion. He is calling on the Welsh Rugby Union to publish the data and explain the rationale behind its plan to reduce Wales’s professional teams from four to three by 2028, a move that would leave either Scarlets or Ospreys without the western licence. Daniels argues that four teams could remain viable and warns that the decision could have lasting consequences for communities in west Wales. Scarlets intend to fight to retain their place and prevent the uncertainty from affecting their on-field performance.