{"id":34304,"date":"2019-03-05T16:14:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T16:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=34304"},"modified":"2019-03-05T16:14:37","modified_gmt":"2019-03-05T16:14:37","slug":"the-history-of-welsh-regional-rugby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/05\/the-history-of-welsh-regional-rugby\/","title":{"rendered":"As shake-up looms, here&#039;s the story of Welsh regional rugby"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">W<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ELSH\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rugby\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is currently going through one of its biggest shake-ups to date, following the news of the Ospreys-Scarlets merger.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">With that in mind it\u2019s worth looking at how the region\u2019s system was formed and who were the winners and losers at the time.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34307\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34307\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-34307 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-1024x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-770x451.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-500x293.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-293x172.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1.jpg 1195w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34307 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-1024x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-770x451.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-500x293.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1-293x172.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/03\/pro14_fixtures-1.jpg_rdax_1195x700_80-1.jpg 1195w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/noscript> Credit: WRU<\/figcaption><\/figure><br \/>\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the beginning<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Before the regions were introduced there were nine clubs that played in the Welsh Premiership, but concerns were raised that having too many clubs hindered player performance. Good players in poorer teams that did not qualify for the Heineken Cup were not getting the high-level match experience needed for the international stage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">A suggestion to move to regional rugby was proposed in 2001, by the then Wales coach Graham Henry.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">His proposal was for the creation of four sides based in West Wales, South East Wales, the South Wales Valleys and Gwent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">All players would be under contract to the Welsh Rugby Union, who would decide which players would play for which region.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">However,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mr<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Henry resigned from his post before plans went\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">further<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The introduction of partnerships\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">On December\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">5<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a02002, a meeting was held between the WRU and eight premier league clubs. What was proposed was four regions with individual feeder clubs.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stradey<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Park,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC, Swansea RFC, Neath RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff: Cardiff RFC, Bridgend RFC,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rodney Parade, Newport: Newport RFC,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caerphilly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ebbw<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Vale RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Racecourse Ground\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wrexham<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Fed from all North Wales clubs and initially using players from the south.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This was rejected by the clubs who expected five \u2018super clubs\u2019 to be formed between partnerships of existing clubs. North Wales was not featured in these plans.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option one partner clubs:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Swansea RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Neath RFC and Bridgend RFC\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cardiff RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caerphilly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Newport RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ebbw<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Vale RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Option two partner clubs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"10\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC as a stand alone<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Swansea RFC and Neath RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"12\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC and Bridgend RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"13\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cardiff RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caerphilly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-aria-posinset=\"14\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Newport RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ebbw<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Vale RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, no one was able to agree on any of this with another round of partner clubs proposed. Cardiff RFC and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0RFC said that the changes were not in the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">interests of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Welsh rugby.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0said that they would pursue legal action arguing that they deserved to stand alone given the success they had as their own club.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">Henry&#8217;s proposal was for the creation of four sides based in West Wales, South East Wales, the South Wales Valleys and Gwent. All players would be under contract to the Welsh Rugby Union, who would decide which players would play for which region.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Agreement<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">On April\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">1<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a02003, David Moffett announced that the clubs and union had come to an agreement of five teams.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"15\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Scarlets owned by\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Llanelli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"16\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Neath-Swansea Ospreys owned by Neath and Swansea RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"17\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Celtic Warriors who played at Sardis road made up of Bridgend and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"18\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cardiff Blues owned by Cardiff\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">RFc<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-aria-posinset=\"19\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gwent Dragons owned by\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ebbw<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Vale and Newport RFC<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Post 2004<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">Celtic Warriors were acquired and liquidated by the WRU at the end of the 2003\/04 season leaving no professional team in the Valleys region and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pontypridd\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0would feed the Cardiff Blues.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">The region has historically been a heartland for Welsh rugby and the current Wales team has at least six former\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0RFC players.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">Pontypridd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0though represented by the Blues, have in the past felt that they do not have an affiliation to the team, given the Blues play in Cardiff RFC blue their traditional rival and there is no mention of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ponty\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0famous black and white kit.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Has it helped Wales?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">Since\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">regionalisation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Wales has won the Six Nations Grand Slam three times as well as the championship in 2013. Ospreys have been the most successful team in the Pro 14 (previously Pro12) for Wales winning four times.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">But, with much of the emphasis being able to perform in Europe, Welsh teams have performed poorly in Europe with none of the teams reaching the final of the top tier cup competition, although Cardiff Blues have won the second tier competition twice &#8211; last year and in 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WELSH\u00a0rugby\u00a0is currently going through one of its biggest shake-ups to date, following the news of the Ospreys-Scarlets merger.\u00a0 With that in mind it\u2019s worth looking at how the region\u2019s system was formed and who were the winners and losers at the time.\u00a0\u00a0 In the beginning\u00a0 Before the regions were introduced there were nine clubs that played in the Welsh Premiership, but concerns were raised that having too many clubs hindered player performance. Good players in poorer teams that did not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":22546,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[151],"tags":[6139,898,899,2218,901,6496,4178,5568,1581,154,6497,903,1030],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-34304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby","tag-arms-park","tag-cardiff-blues","tag-dragons","tag-liberty-stadium","tag-ospreys","tag-par-y-scarlets","tag-pontypridd","tag-pro14","tag-rodney-parade","tag-rugby-2","tag-sardis-road","tag-scarlets","tag-wru"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>As shake-up looms, here&#039;s the story of Welsh regional rugby - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/03\/05\/the-history-of-welsh-regional-rugby\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"As shake-up looms, here&#039;s the story of Welsh regional rugby - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"WELSH\u00a0rugby\u00a0is currently going through one of its biggest shake-ups to date, following the news of the Ospreys-Scarlets merger.\u00a0 With that in mind it\u2019s worth looking at how the region\u2019s system was formed and who were the winners and losers at the time.\u00a0\u00a0 In the beginning\u00a0 Before the regions were introduced there were nine clubs that played in the Welsh Premiership, but concerns were raised that having too many clubs hindered player performance. 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