Ospreys PRA Close, But Not Signed Yet - Bradley
In January 2024, the Ospreys appointed former Gloucester chief Lance Bradley as their chief executive. Bradley has confirmed that the Ospreys have not yet signed the latest Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) negotiated for Welsh rugby.
Despite this, Bradley emphasized that there are no issues with the PRA and that the agreement is nearing completion. Similarly, the Scarlets have not yet committed to the deal established between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the four professional regions, which outlines the governance and financial arrangements for the professional game in Wales.
Currently, the Ospreys and Scarlets operate under an older agreement valid until 2028. In contrast, the Dragons and Cardiff—both owned by the WRU—signed the new PRA25 deal in May 2025, which extends until 2030.
"It's not signed yet, but it's progressing towards that, so it's very close," Bradley told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "It's just a few details to sort out, there aren't any problems with it."
Bradley also addressed rumors regarding potential budget cuts under the new agreement, denying such claims.
"There was some discussion about how you manage recruitment at relatively short notice," he added, "but no there's no plans for a reduction in the budget."
Negotiations for the PRA have taken place amid the WRU's plans to reduce the number of professional men's teams in Wales from four to three by the 2028-29 season. The WRU intends to provide details on how this will be implemented by June 2026.
Previous WRU proposals suggested that only one team would remain in west Wales. However, Bradley remains optimistic about the long-term futures of both the Ospreys and Scarlets.
"I think we need to see the details of it," Bradley said. "My personal preference would be that four regions is something that works very well. You know Ospreys against Scarlets is the biggest club game in Welsh rugby and you know everybody likes to hate everybody else, but it's a fantastic game and it's a fantastic rivalry and I'd like to see it continue if possible."
St Helen's to Be Ready in Time for New Season
Ospreys have announced that redevelopment work on St Helen's stadium in Swansea will commence next week. The stadium will serve as the region's new home following a season spent playing at Bridgend's Brewery Field.
Plans include constructing a new South Stand and redeveloping the West Stand and terrace. Although funding delays from Swansea Council occurred due to uncertainties related to WRU plans, Bradley assured that the stadium will be ready for the 2026-27 season.
The Ospreys will play their first three United Rugby Championship (URC) matches away, with their first home league game scheduled against the Dragons on Saturday, 24 October.
"What we've been working with the council on is getting a facility that's not only fantastic for the Ospreys, but fantastic for the community as well," Bradley told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "Obviously the timescales are tight to get everything ready before our first game so we will be doing things in a phased approach, but we will have a stadium that we can be proud of in time for the start of next season."
Bradley acknowledged that redevelopment will continue after the season begins.
"It will continue at some point afterwards," he added, "but it will be complete for what we need for the season before the first game."
Swansea City Council leader Rob Stewart also spoke on Radio Wales Breakfast, rejecting suggestions of strained relations between the council and the rugby club.
"We've been good partners all through this process and actually trying to get sense and clarity out of the WRU all through this," he said. "We've had to navigate some really difficult times, a process which we've challenged legally and still stand ready to take legal action to the courts if necessary because of the way in which the WRU has chosen to move forward.
"This unfair process that the WRU commenced we still believe is one I think that is now dead in the water and ourselves, the Ospreys, Lance can move forward now with redeveloping the ground so that the fans in Swansea and south west Wales can come and enjoy first class rugby at St Helen's."
