Project Reset is a proposed Welsh Rugby Union reform programme to restructure Welsh regional rugby. Recent years have indicated both regional and club rugby in Wales is in financial crisis, with sides such as Neath RFC closely defeating a liquidation order and Ospreys at risk of losing key players in 2019 and the 2019/20 season ahead.
A number of proposals are reportedly being mooted by the Union to reestablish Welsh rugby union as a competitor for nearby rivals such as the Irish Rugby Football Union and English Rugby Football Union whose sides have seen financial growth and test match success.
The Professional Rugby Board is reported to have concluded that the Ospreys and Scarlets should merge to form a west Wales super team in the pro 14, making room for a north Wales team affiliated to RGC 1404.
Background
Rugby union in Wales is the national sport and is considered a large part of national culture. The sport is today managed by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) which formed in 1881. The main domestic competition in Wales is the Pro14, in which Wales have four regional sides in the competition: Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and Dragons. The sides also compete in the Europe-wide European Rugby Champions Cup, European Rugby Challenge Cup, and Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Since the regionalisation of professional Rugby Union in Wales, the national team has undoubtedly experienced great success, with some attributing this to the regional concept. The regions have been reasonably successful in the Pro12 (renamed Pro14 from 2017–18 forward), with Welsh teams winning on six occasions. The Ospreys are one of the most successful team in the history of the league with four titles (just short of the record five titles held by Leinster as of 2018). However, the Welsh sides have made little impact in the European Cup, with no team getting further than the semi-finals. A desire for success in Europe had been one of the principal reasons for setting up the regions in the first place.
2013 dispute
The regions currently operate on a 2009 Participation Agreement which expires in 2019.
The regions in 2013 protested against a new agreement, as they felt it did not offer any funding commitments or clarity regarding competitions such as the Heineken Cup. The Union retorted that funding would increase but that regions would need to commit to the framework or risk losing their revenue streams.
2018 rumoured solutions
In 2018 the WRU launched Project Reset to review regional arrangements. Faced with the financial dominance of French Top 14 and English Premiership Rugby sides, the WRU have in recent years increased salaries to bring Welsh international players such as Taulupe Faletau, Dan Biggar, Ross Moriarty, and Rhys Webb back into the Welsh league system. Yet the Union now feel the salary arrangements are unsustainable.
The WRU has established a Professional Rugby Board, composed of representatives from both the WRU and the regions, to discuss the proposed changes.
Proposal 1 - Merge Scarlets/Ospreys and Blues/Dragons
Under one proposal, the region system would decrease from four sides to two. Ospreys and the Scarlets would merge, as would Cardiff Blues and Dragons. Such proposals face widespread opposition from sections of supporters whose local loyalties would prevent them from travelling to traditionally 'rival' grounds to follow their team, standing in the terraces with their bitter rivals. Opponents of the proposal have also pointed to the struggles of the Scottish rugby union team in test fixtures since switching to a two-region model dominated by Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.
Proposal 2 - End the Dragons franchise or move it to North Wales
As the poorest performing franchise, the WRU have reportedly discussed moving the Dragons franchise to North Wales, or closing it altogether. This would be challenging given the side's contractual commitments, and its guarantees to ground share at Rodney Parade with Newport RFC and EFL League Two side Newport County A.F.C. until 2021. The WRU have proposed the resulting space then be filled by a North Wales side taking the place of Conwy-based, semi professional RGC 1404.