The long-term future of Ospreys is one of the unanswered questions about what this deal means for Welsh rugby.
The WRU has proposed cutting one of its four men’s professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – to three, and this agreement was seen to help that process.
The WRU has stated there will be one license in Cardiff, one in the west and one in the east, with Llanelli-based Scarlets and Dragons, in Newport, expected to be handed those.
So while Ospreys will continue playing in the URC and Europe next season, there are no guarantees of them maintaining their status as a professional outfit beyond the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
That decision will be tied in with when the URC can find another side to replace the culled Welsh team in the league.
Another unknown is what will happen with the £5m development of the St Helen’s ground in Swansea, that was due to be the Ospreys’ new home from the start of next season.
Swansea Council, which is funding the project, this week said it was considering legal action to safeguard the future of regional rugby in the city.
Ospreys, WRU and Swansea Council held a meeting on Thursday and talks will be ongoing about whether the rugby side will be part of the St Helen’s development plans.
Time is ticking for the ground to be ready for the Ospreys at the start of next season in September, with Mark Jones’ side playing at Bridgend during this campaign.
Cardiff supporters have also been opposed to this deal and it remains to be seen how they react to this confirmation.