Cardiff confident of retaining leading players while Scarlets seek certainty

Welsh rugby is currently facing a period of upheaval, with the number of professional clubs set to be reduced from four to three by 2027.

Plans point towards one team in Cardiff, one in the east of the country and one in the west – a scenario that could result in a straight fight for survival between the Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.

An alternative proposal has also emerged, with Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media reportedly considering a takeover of WRU-owned Cardiff, which would also bring the number of professional sides down to three.

Against that backdrop, more than 80 Wales-based players are out of contract at the end of the season, creating a challenging environment for regions trying to plan ahead.

“It’s always a difficult period, because it is contracting season,” Peel said. “People are looking forward to next season and trying to get their future secured or sorted out.

“The uncertainty obviously doesn’t help that. As soon as everyone does get certainty, that will be for the best.”

Peel, like Cardiff counterpart Van Zyl, is hopeful that Scarlets will retain the core of their squad.

“You can only control what’s on the table at the minute for us,” he added. “Timing is a big thing.

“We do need to get a move on with a few things, but as soon as we get clarity, I’m sure we’ll be able to do the work we need to do.

“We want to be competitive as regions and as clubs. Having the best Welsh players available to us makes us that.”