Lyndon Faulkner to review WRU regional cut as financial losses deepen

Incoming Welsh Rugby Union chair Lyndon Faulkner will review the decision to reduce Wales from four professional regions to three in 2028, according to BBC Sport. Faulkner, who takes up the role in November, said he would be willing to reconsider the decision rather than treat the existing restructuring plan as beyond challenge.

In his first interview since accepting the position, Faulkner rejected suggestions that his appointment depended on supporting the proposed reduction. He told the BBC that reviewing and questioning the union's plans was part of his responsibility. His comments signal a reassessment, not an announced reversal of the policy or a guarantee that all four regions will survive.

Ospreys and Scarlets are the teams most exposed to the proposed cut. Faulkner acknowledged the distrust surrounding the process and said he did not want a review to extend uncertainty further. He will chair the WRU board rather than join its executive team.

The scale of that financial challenge was detailed by BusinessIn Wales, which reported a pre-tax loss of £18.1 million for the year ending 30 June 2026, compared with £7.2 million a year earlier. Turnover rose by £10.1 million to £116.2 million, but the operating loss widened from £4.7 million to £14.8 million.

Chief financial and operating officer Gavin Marshall said costs had grown faster than income. According to the same report, seven men's internationals at Principality Stadium, up from five, produced only about £2 million in additional match income. Direct stadium and event costs rose by roughly £7 million, reflecting the busier schedule and higher staffing and delivery expenses.

The union forecasts an operating loss of around £16 million for the coming year and argues that the figures support reducing the number of regions. BusinessIn Wales reported that its recovery measures include expanding ticket pricing from three bands to six, improving food and beverage margins, and attracting more major stadium events. Distributions across professional, semi-professional and community rugby remained unchanged at £32.6 million.