for the Canada national rugby union team, at least until enough local players were developed to fill a complete competitive squad. Proposal 3 - Merging Cardiff Blues and Ospreys As the most successful side in Pro14 (previously Celtic League) history, Ospreys now face significant issues, with reports of debts and stalled contract negotiations threatening their claim to players such as Alun Wyn Jones and head coach Allen Clarke. Managing director Andrew Millward had described the struggle, involving year long budget cuts and structural flaws in the Welsh rugby system, as leaving Wales unable to compete with rivals IRFU and FRR. Facing a merger with Cardiff Blues however, Ospreys supporters have pushed back, arguing that the removal of the Ospreys franchise from the Swansea region would leave one of Wales' rugby heartlands without a local regional side, instead forced to travel to their rivals ground at Cardiff Arms Park. Blues supporters also point to the fierce battle their side won to remain in their traditional Cardiff RFC colours and name back in 2003, and are unwilling to adopt a new identity. Proposal 4 - Merge Ospreys and Scarlets More recent discussions have punted merging western sides Scarlets and Ospreys, with the Llanelli and Swansea teams either sharing grounds or moving fully. Scarlets however opposed such a merger with Ospreys back in 2003, with the late Stuart Gallacher famously opposed to any arrangement which would have ended the Scarlets name. Governing body The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Wales. Their responsibilities include producing the national team and the four regional franchises Cardiff Rugby, Scarlets, Dragons, and Ospreys. Competitions Wales' four professional rugby regions play in the United Rugby Championship and take part in the European Rugby Champions Cup, and European Rugby Challenge Cup. The regional sides competed in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but the sides withdrew after the 2017-18 competition, leaving behind just the English sides. The traditional clubs compete in the Welsh Premier Division and WRU Challenge Cup. They had also competed in the semi-professional British and Irish Cup, but this competition was discontinued after the 2018-19 season. Popularity Rugby union has a particular hold on the national psyche of Wales, especially the Six Nations tournament. The first proof of Wales as a nation embracing the sport of rugby union is reflected in the rapid growth of rugby clubs in the late 19th century. Within a