Leaked WhatsApp messages from players emerge, as Twitter sparks over 'mental' merger

There’s been a furious reaction to the proposed merger of the Ospreys and the Scarlets.

Wales’ Professional Game Board, which comprises representatives from the Welsh Rugby Union, Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff Blues, is set to meet on Tuesday.

Establishing a new professional team in north Wales is also high on the agenda in what would be Welsh rugby’s biggest domestic shake-up since regional teams were established 16 years ago.

Lee Jarvis who played for Wales, Pontypridd, Cardiff, Neath and Dragons, and now is the head coach at Beddau RFC, criticised the merger idea.

“Ospreys and Scarlets merging is NOT good at all. That would mean between both sets of squads and coaches i would say at least 20/25 players / management looking for jobs elsewhere. Bad times AGAIN IN WELSH RUGBY ?”

Ospreys and Scarlets merging is NOT good at all.

That would mean between both sets of squads and coaches i would say at least 20/25 players / management looking for jobs elsewhere.

Bad times AGAIN IN WELSH RUGBY ?

— ??? ?????? (@LeeJarvis10) March 4, 2019

Journalist James Corrigan has questioned the timing of what appears to be an imminent announcement.

“Wales are two games away from winning the grand slam. so the wru decides to tell the players (most of whom play for the scarlets and ospreys) that they are merging. un-bloody-believable. wales is mental”

wales are two games away from winning the grand slam. so the wru decides to tell the players (most of whom play for the scarlets and ospreys) that they are merging. un-bloody-believable. wales is mental

— James Corrigan (never had a blue tick) (@jcorrigangolf) March 4, 2019

It’s not stopped Penclawdd RFC trying to add humour to the situation, by jokingly trying to register the Ospreys and Wales flanker James Tipuric, tweeting: “Time to capitalise on the current turmoil/shambles in Welsh Rugby. @ospreys please accept when you get the chance ?? Hope your ready for next week @bprfctheblacks”

Time to capitalise on the current turmoil/shambles in Welsh Rugby. @ospreys please accept when you get the chance ??

Hope your ready for next week @bprfctheblacks pic.twitter.com/AoseGAD3Ax

— Penclawdd RFC (@penclawddrfc) March 4, 2019

Now Wales Online have revealed a leaked WhatsApp transcript with “a leading Wales star” advising players from all four Welsh regions to make their contract moves as soon as possible with one message saying: “Boys who are out of contract, if you want to say I’d try get your business done this week as there’s going to be more boys on the market come Sunday!”

Another message said “Or if you are looking for coin North Wales could be an option,” adding “I think they will try pay decent money to get people up there.”

“The Ospreys and Scarlets are merging, Blues and Dragons staying as we are. They’re making a region in north Wales”.

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