![\"Tierney](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Abi-Tierney-file-photo.jpg\")
Tierney has addressed rumours over the future of the Ospreys and Scarlets(Image: PA)<\/p>\nThe latest headlines from Wales and around the worldTierney has addressed rumours over the future of the Ospreys and Scarlets(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, August 8.<\/p>\n
WRU chief addresses Ospreys-Scarlets rumours<\/p>\n
Welsh Rugby Union<\/a> chief executive Abi Tierney insists no decision has been made over the futures of the Ospreys<\/a> and Scarlets<\/a>, after rumours were rife that the union wants a team based in Swansea<\/a> over Llanelli<\/a>. The union are about to enter a formal consultation process and could halve the number of professional clubs in Wales, which would likely result in one team based in the east with another in the west.<\/p>\n If this was the case, there would only be room for one of the Ospreys or Scarlets in Welsh rugby’s new structure. But Tierney denies these rumours are true. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “No definitely not,” she said when asked if the WRU had decided to favour a team based out of Swansea rather than Llanelli. “I was talking to some of our board members about it this morning.<\/p>\n “There’s a number of steps we have to take first because that would presume that we’ve decided what number of clubs we need and we haven’t.<\/p>\n “So, we need to get the structure first and then out of that will come what are the options around the different club functions. But I can absolutely categorically say we haven’t done that.”<\/p>\n Earlier this week Swansea City<\/a> Council granted planning permission to the Ospreys<\/a> who plan to redevelop St Helen’s, although it is dependent on the WRU’s plans.<\/p>\n During the Swansea Council meeting, an objection was read out from Scarlets supporters’ trust Crys 16, while three Carmarthenshire<\/a> politicians have gone on record to oppose the redevelopment of St Helen’s, claiming it would signal bad news for Parc y Scarlets.<\/p>\n But Tierney has rejected accusations that the WRU have given Swansea City Council assurances the Ospreys will survive.<\/p>\n “No, categorically not,” she said when the accusation was put to her.<\/p>\n “We gave support for the development pre the signing of the PRA, or the not signing of the PRA to say that it’s very much caveated as long as the PRA is signed that the funding would be there but we haven’t done anything since.”<\/p>\n Lions bosses hold talks over next tour<\/p>\n New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson has issued a cutting response to suggestions that the British & Irish Lions <\/a>shouldn’t embark on their scheduled tour of the country in 2029, revealing that “fantastic” talks have already taken place.<\/p>\n Led by Andy Farrell, the Lions claimed victory in their recent Test series against Australia, but the future of the iconic touring team has been subject to much debate in recent weeks and months.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Times rugby writer Stephen Jones suggested that the traditional cycle of tours to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand should be changed, putting forward France as an alternative destination in four years’ time. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n