Welsh rugby must be 'brave' to secure future - Roberts

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts says if there is ever a time to make a radical change in Welsh rugby, that time is now.

Following a consultation process, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced in October that it intends to scrap one of Wales' four professional regions by 2027.

The Union's ambition is to have three equally funded sides with one team in the east, one in the west and one in Cardiff.

The decision has naturally caused controversy, especially among Scarlets and Ospreys with their regions most at risk.

It could also signal an exodus of players, with Wales captain Jac Morgan saying he would leave Welsh rugby if Ospreys were to fold.

But Roberts, who has been a non-executive director on the WRU board for two years, said change is needed.

Speaking on the Scrum V podcast, the 97-capped Test player said: "I'm happy to have these conversations because they need to be honest ones, and ultimately with Welsh rugby at the minute we need to live in reality.

"The situation we find ourselves in is the most challenging one facing Welsh rugby in two decades, hands down.

"Unfortunately the wrong records have tumbled."

Roberts explained the top of the game in Wales needs to be consolidated as there simply is not enough money to fund the pathways and keep four professional sides running in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

"Everyone in the room is sitting around going 'where do we best divide the pie here?' The money pot is finite, we need to spend accordingly," he said.

"It's a tough decision to make. Going from four to three is really hard because you appreciate the impact it's going to have.

"But you have to make that decision in the best interest of the game in Wales, to get our club sides winning again and to get the Test side dining at the top table again."

Wales' dismal autumn campaign ended in a record 73-0 defeat by world champions South Africa last weekend, while Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets occupy the bottom four positions of the URC.

Roberts added: "If you were to give all the data to any 10 rationale people with a love of the game in Wales, which board members do of course, they will come to the same decision.

"We need to be brave."