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The Welsh Rugby Union’s consultation into controversial plans to reshape the game as we know it has officially opened.

Last month, the WRU announced its desire to cut the number of professional sides in Wales from four to two.

The four professional sides – Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Cardiff – now face uncertain futures as the consultation begins.

The four regional sides were formed in 2003, along with the long-defunct Celtic Warriors region.

Club teams across Caerphilly County Borough feed into the Dragons, who play home games at Newport’s Rodney Parade, and hold some training sessions at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.

However, the Dragons have insisted “elite rugby must remain in Gwent”.

In a statement before the consultation was announced last month, the club’s owners – David Wright, David Buttress, and Hoyoung Huh – said: “When we took over the Dragons in 2023 our ambition was clear: we wanted to build a club that could thrive both on and off the field.

“That commitment has not changed. With the incredible support of our staff, players, partners and above all our fans we are making real progress. We have established financial stability and we remain fully focused on driving forward on field performances.”

Their statement continued: “In the coming weeks we will take part in the WRU consultation on the future of the game in Wales. Our message will be simple and consistent – elite rugby must remain in Gwent and Dragons RFC has every reason to continue proudly in its current form.

“Like all Welsh fans we also want to see a strong national side; this requires a robust and competitive regional set up.”

The owners called on the WRU to “listen carefully” to feedback during the consultation and to “reflect the views of every stakeholder when shaping its final proposals”.

They added: “We have great fans, dedicated staff and players, and fantastic partners. As custodians of Dragons RFC, we’ll continue to represent the interests of our entire rugby community.”

A formal consultation on the plans started on September 1, with a decision set to be made by the WRU in October.

Speaking when the consultation was announced, WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood said: “We have a once in a generation opportunity to get this right and create an exciting future for our game and this is a responsibility we are taking extremely seriously.”