Slicing the variety of areas from 4 to 3 remains to be a risk, the Welsh Rugby Union has revealed.
Govt director of rugby Nigel Walker mentioned the governing physique hopes to supply Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets an “uplift” in funding in coming years.
And he set a goal annual finances of £5.5m to £6m to make every of the 4 aggressive.
However he questioned whether or not the worldwide skilled sport is “sustainable as it’s proper now” and admitted lowering the variety of areas in Wales stays “on the desk”.
Walker added Wales head coach Warren Gatland has the WRU’s full backing, he hinted the governing physique could assessment participation within the United Rugby Championship (URC) after the present settlement and mentioned talks have been underway to keep away from dropping one other Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to England.
Walker was talking to Scrum V on the tail finish of one of many worst seasons in Welsh rugby historical past.
Wales senior women and men’s groups completed backside of their respective Six Nations.
Solely Ospreys have a slim probability of ending within the high half of the URC and in the event that they fail to take action, Wales for the primary time is not going to be represented within the Champions Cup subsequent season with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium internet hosting the ultimate subsequent Could.
“It has been a tricky season on and off the sphere,” mentioned Walker.
“This time final yr I mentioned it was going to be robust for a few years but it surely’s not all doom and gloom.
“There are some shoots, significantly a few of the Ospreys’ performances, however they’ve been too few and much between.”