The number of professional rugby teams in Wales will be reduced to three in the future, though all four current sides will remain for now, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced on Friday.

The WRU had previously indicated that one or possibly two of its professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets - could be disbanded as part of future restructuring plans.

It had stated that four proposals were on the table and described having two clubs with equal funding as the preferred "optimal option".

After months of discussions and speculation, the WRU has decided instead to retain all four teams for now, with a future proposal to grant three licences for men's clubs, one for the capital Cardiff, one for west Wales and one for east Wales.

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