Major Ospreys announcement as Swansea Council deal struck and Alun Wyn Jones drafted in

There has been a significant development in Welsh rugby, with the Ospreys now set to play at St Helen’s next season

Swansea Council and the Ospreys are set to go ahead with new plans to redevelop St Helen’s in time for next season in a dramatic Welsh rugby twist.

The move comes despite a lack of certainty surrounding the region’s future and months of angry exchanges between Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart and senior Ospreys and Y11 figures.

The redevelopment of St Helen’s had initially been put on hold due to the Welsh Rugby Union’s controversial plans to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to three, with the governing body refusing to give assurances the Ospreys would survive as they look to rubberstamp Y11’s deal to buy Cardiff.

Up until this point the council has refused to release the full funding to redevelop the ground unless the Ospreys’ future is guaranteed, but an unexpected announcement on Tuesday evening has seen them join forces with the Ospreys with new plans to push ahead with work at the iconic ground.

A couple of weeks ago, minutes were released of a meeting between WRU CEO Abi Tierney, Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley and Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, which appeared to show Bradley suggesting the Ospreys would cease to exist as a professional rugby side beyond the end of next season if Y11’s bid to buy Cardiff succeeded. The WRU and Bradley have insisted the claims are inaccurate.

In a bid to prevent Y11 buying Cardiff, Swansea Council have taken legal action against the WRU while they have formally asked the Competitions and Markets Authority to investigate the deal.

Nevertheless, relations appear to have eased between the council and the club, with long time Ospreys director Rob Davies now conspicuous with his involvement.

The initial plan was for the council to pay for the full development with the Ospreys paying rent, but the club will now invest a significant sum of money themselves to ensure St Helen’s is ready for the 2026/27 season.

Central to the plans is a new state‑of‑the‑art 4G playing surface, which would be used by the Ospreys for match days and weekly team run‑outs, Swansea RFC and opened to schools, clubs and community groups for the rest of the week.

Under the joint investment model, Swansea Council would fund key community‑focused upgrades including the pitch and floodlights, while the Ospreys would deliver professional‑level enhancements such as a new stand, fan zone and broadcast facilities.

The proposals will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday, March 24, and follow positive talks with the Ospreys.

If agreed, works could start in April so that the Ospreys can use the stadium next season.

A new Swansea Rugby Community Board is also proposed to ensure the redevelopment delivers maximum benefit for local people.

Alun Wyn Jones, the former Ospreys, Wales and British and Irish Lions captain, has agreed to work with the council to ensure the collaboration maximises the benefits for grassroots rugby and the community.

“The future of St Helen’s has been on hold due to ongoing discussions about regional rugby in Wales which are unlikely to end anytime soon,” said Council leader Rob Stewart.

“The WRU is not giving us the answers we need to move forward despite our requests, such as how Y11 can own two teams for a long period of time. In light of the impending EGM, I doubt the WRU knows where it is going.

“We must break that deadlock in the meantime and find how we can move forward as a city despite the WRU’s lack of answers. We propose to create a new model that strengthens both professional and grassroots rugby across Swansea and the Ospreys region.

“Our joint investment would give the Ospreys a home worthy of professional rugby while opening up this iconic ground to the community like never before.

“This continues our support for the Ospreys remaining as a professional rugby region based in Swansea.”

Crucially, despite the new agreement, the council’s legal action against the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposed deal for Y11 to buy Cardiff Rugby continues.

If approved, the Ospreys would significantly expand their community programme, offering club nights, school sessions, open training events and coaching development opportunities. Year‑round access would support junior and youth rugby, schools, Swansea RFC and local clubs.

The proposals aims to reconnect the professional and community game in Swansea, boost participation among children and young people, strengthen coach and volunteer development, improve health and wellbeing and create inclusive rugby opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.

“We have been working with Swansea Council for many months on the redevelopment of the iconic St Helen’s ground,” said Ospreys director Rob Davies.

“We’re delighted that we’ve found a way to not only progress our plans to play back in Swansea from next season, but also to further enhance the work we’ve always done in our community.”