The Welsh Rugby Union has now publicly declared the best way forward for the game is a reduction from four to two teams and says it hopes it will result in Wales becoming "wildcard" World Cup winners.
WalesOnline exclusively revealed the WRU's preferred choice yesterday ahead of a formal consultation process that will begin on September 1. The WRU has outlined the two-team model in detail at a press conference on Wednesday, insisting something has to change and explaining why it is suggesting halving the number clubs.
You can follow the emerging details of the proposal with our live updates below.
"We know how emotional rugby is and that people will be hurting when thinking about what this could mean for their team," said chief executive Abi Tierney.
"Not everyone is going to be happy but I don't think carrying on as we are is the right thing for fans either.
"We had to do something radically different to get us to a better place and that everyone can get behind and we hope people will step out of their corner."
Director of rugby Dave Reddin, the architect of the proposal, said: "This is unashamedly about trying to take Welsh rugby back to the top of international rugby and club rugby. It's about trying to win. In that acknowledgement, it's possible to think short-term and throw all our resources into one thing. What we've tried to put together is something that is coherent and comprehensive.
"The headline is the number of men's clubs but that is only one of five interconnected pillars. The men's clubs is really around investing in elite excellence and financing two teams that are able to compete at the top level."
"This is about designing for elite performance and make talent outperform its capacity," said Reddin when asked
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