Welsh rugby needs ‘full shake-up’ – Paul Thorburn

Wales bid to end a run of 17 successive Test defeats, the country’s worst run in its history, when they face Japan on 5 July and 12 July.

The regional game has also struggled this season, with Scarlets being the only Welsh side to make the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

And former Wales full-back Thorburn, who won 37 caps between 1985 and 1991, says axing a region must be considered – providing that doing so benefits the game in Wales.

“Ultimately, if that’s what is needed (cutting a region) for the future and sustainability of international rugby and the game in general then so be it,” said Thorburn.

He added: “To me, a blank sheet of paper, let’s put all of these parochialisms to one side and let’s work out what’s going to be the best to sustain international rugby and grow that pathway.

“We also have to look after the community game because it’s not looking great. If you don’t have players coming through, you haven’t got an international game.”