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Welsh rugby’s governing body has said it proposes to grant three licences for men’s professional clubs.<\/p>\n
There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which is expected to result in a straight survival fight between Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.<\/p>\n
Buchanan does not agree with the reduction in the number of sides after he pointed to the initial previous change in 2003 from clubs to regions. <\/p>\n
“We came from our clubs to our regions and those were big steps,” said Buchanan.<\/p>\n
“We had success on the field with Triple Crown, Grand Slams and Six Nations Championships in that era.<\/p>\n
“The Scarlets, Cardiff, Ospreys, were all successful stories. So what brings me to this is what’s happened and how have we arrived here?”<\/p>\n
The 70-year-old went on:<\/p>\n
“What are we going to do to bring ourselves back into being a top tier one country?<\/p>\n
“The next step made will be crucial. And I cannot support that next step in taking one of our top regions out.”<\/p>\n
Buchanan believes losing Ospreys or Scarlets will be detrimental to the Welsh game.<\/p>\n
“Whichever one goes, it’s going to be devastating,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The Ospreys stretch from Bridgend, or Cardiff, down to Swansea and the Scarlets are down to the west with a new stadium and everything.<\/p>\n
“I don’t see the decision being a step forward. It could be we could lose a lot of support on and off the field.”<\/p>\n
The former Wales forward said he had also been against the WRU’s previous plan of two professional sides that was shelved following a public consultation.<\/p>\n
“I was horrified with that thought,” he added.<\/p>\n
“We are tribal in Wales. We like our local derbies and we like rugby in our areas. Those are important things to me.”<\/p>\n
Buchanan also raised the prospect of the professional sides losing some control of the playing side of the organisation to the WRU.<\/p>\n
“We have people that have been supportive of Welsh rugby, benefactors that have given their money,” said Buchanan.<\/p>\n
“I can’t go into the detail of what is being offered to them, but it isn’t something they’re keen on signing.<\/p>\n
“So we’re at loggerheads. It’s crucial we mend those fences and understand it’s a partnership. That’s what is missing at the moment, an agreement with a partnership.<\/p>\n
“People have put their hands in their own pockets to put into the professional game and we need to respect that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n