Leader of Swansea Council says it is considering “every option, including legal avenues” over future of regional rugby as Ospreys owners named preferred bidders for Cardiff Rugby

Cllr Rob Stewart’s comments on Facebook last week came just before the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed that Y11, the owners of the region’s professional side the Ospreys, had been chosen as the preferred bidders to take over Cardiff Rugby, another of Wales’ four professional sides.

The latest announcement comes as part of a long-running saga after the WRU announced it would cut one professional team by 2027.

The WRU said only one of the three future teams in Wales will be based in the west where both Ospreys (Swansea) and Scarlets (Llanelli) are based.

Ospreys are the favourites to be axed despite being the most successful Welsh team, having won four titles competing in the Celtic League or Pro12 league, which has now become the United Rugby Championship (URC).

According to the BBC, the WRU and Ospreys said a successful deal would see Y11 own both teams but they would continue as separate entities.

But the report suggested that no guarantees have been given about the Ospreys' future as a professional side beyond the 2026-27 season.

After the WRU confirmed Y11 had become preferred bidders to buy the Cardiff regional club, Swansea’s Leader Cllr Stewart said in a second statement: "The council is shocked by these proposals as we have been working with the Ospreys on the redevelopment of St Helen's as their new home of regional rugby in Swansea.

"It was hugely disappointing to hear what the WRU had to say. There was a clear indication that they saw no viable future for the Ospreys within their new arrangements.

"I have urged Abi Tierney, the WRU Chief Executive, to pause their process now and to think again.”

Cllr Stewart said the council would continue to do everything it could to secure regional rugby in Swansea “and keep pressing the WRU on this decision”.

He said: “The plan to redevelop St Helen's was dependent on the Ospreys remaining one of Wales professional regional teams and we cannot commit any money to St Helen's until this matter is resolved."

Swansea Council had planned to invest £5m in the redevelopment of the St Helen's ground in Swansea that was set to be the Ospreys' new home from the start of next season.

Harry Rodd