"All of us have been left in the dark" - WRU have taken the easy decision with help of Y11
Ospreys' drew with Lions 24-24 at The Brewery Field following a difficult week
©Iestyn Rhys-Thomas
Last Friday's battling 24-24 draw against the Lions perhaps encapsulated the spirit of the Ospreys and their supporters.
In a week when it emerged that the most successful side in Wales since the inception of regional rugby could cease to exist beyond the 2026-27 season, players, staff and fans alike pulled together in Bridgend.
Last week's announcement that Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media are in talks to buy Cardiff completely overshadowed the unveiling of Wales’ Six Nations squad, as the Welsh Rugby Union continues with its plan to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three.
Y11 will now enter a period of exclusivity with the WRU to explore a deal to purchase the capital city club, but the Ospreys - and those connected to the region - are not going down without a fight.
When reports surfaced about the potential takeover, reaction from supporters across Welsh rugby was swift and vocal on social media, while a protest also took place during the Ospreys’ clash with the Lions.
Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley released a statement last Wednesday, with the latest developments being that Swansea Council will debate an emergency motion over the WRU’s plans on Thursday.
The WRU have taken the easy way out with Y11
So how have we reached this point?
In October last year, the WRU announced plans to cut from four professional teams down to three following a month-long consultation period.
Initially, the Union had even explored the possibility of reducing the number to just two teams before changing their minds following feedback.
From the outside, it appears the WRU were determined to make a change but lacked a clear vision of what structure they actually wanted or how best to implement it.
Choosing Y11 over an alternative consortium, which was rumoured to have submitted a stronger bid, further fuels the view that the WRU were seeking a quick fix rather than addressing the long-term needs of Welsh rugby.
Robbie Owen, co-host of The Ospreys Supporters Podcast, said: "Like the players found out live there and then as we all did, like they had no real information.
"We've obviously all heard rumours and whispers for months, but no one knew anything certain. Y11 never confirmed as a bidder, much as we all heard it. All of this came out at once in one moment.
"It's been terribly communicated. It's been really badly put across. All of us have been left in the dark, supporters, players, members of staff.
"It's been really badly handled by Y11, by the people at the Ospreys who did know what was going on.
"At the same time, there are reasons why none of this was communicated, and I think there have been a few moments from Lance, who is very public, where it's been clear he's wanted to say more, and he hasn't been able to."
Former Ospreys urge WRU to change their decision
As recently as Tuesday evening, a group of former Ospreys players released a statement urging the governing body to reconsider its decision.
Shane Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Gavin Henson, Ryan Jones, and James Hook have come together to urge a reconsideration as uncertainty continues to loom over the region’s future.
The statement read: “As former Ospreys, we feel the time is right to speak up and show our support for the current players and staff during what is clearly a very difficult and uncertain time.
“We support the call made by Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart for the WRU and Y11 to pause the current process and rethink their approach.
“What is being proposed puts at risk the future of professional rugby across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend and the redevelopment of a historic rugby venue at St. Helen’s."
It would be a sorry state of affairs for a team based in Swansea, Wales’ second city, to be disbanded.
At a time when Welsh rugby is crying out for clarity and stability, the game needs a clear and considered path forward. Many would argue that cutting teams risks damaging the next generation of young players that the WRU ultimately seeks to inspire.
Ospreys conclude their latest block in the United Rugby Championship by hosting the Dragons on Saturday night, while Cardiff go to Ulster and Scarlets travel to Benetton.
