The three Plaid Cymru elected members that represent Carmarthenshire have expressed their “fundamental opposition” to any plans that threaten the future of professional rugby in west Wales in their response to the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) consultation on their proposals for the future of the professional sport.
The intervention comes from Cefin Campbell MS, Ann Davies MP and Adam Price MS on the eve of a march to protect the future of the team in Llanelli (Saturday, 27 September).
In their response to the consultation, Mr Campbell MS, Mrs Davies MP and Mr Price MS said:
“We as elected members for Carmarthenshire must state our fundamental opposition to any proposed plan that would bring an end to professional rugby in Llanelli and Carmarthenshire.
“[The proposed plan] inevitably presents the possibility of the dissolution of Scarlets as a club, and as a result the end of elite, professional rugby in West Wales, which, as you will be aware, has already generated considerable grassroots opposition and discontent. We cannot support any plan that presents this risk.
“In view of the profound implications of the proposed plans, we are calling on the Welsh Rugby Union to reconsider and to ensure that any forthcoming decisions protect the future of professional rugby in west Wales. The future of the Scarlets is more than just a rugby team – it is an integral part of the identity, economy and pride of west Wales.”
