Cutting the number of regions from four to three is still a possibility, the Welsh Rugby Union has revealed.
Executive director of rugby Nigel Walker said the governing body hopes to offer Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets an “uplift” in funding in coming years.
And he set a target annual budget of £5.5m to £6m to make each of the four competitive.
But he questioned whether the global professional game is “sustainable as it is right now” and admitted reducing the number of regions in Wales remains “on the table”.
Walker added Wales head coach Warren Gatland has the WRU’s full backing, he hinted the governing body may review participation in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after the current agreement and said talks were underway to avoid losing another Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to England.
Walker was speaking to Scrum V at the tail end of one of the worst seasons in Welsh rugby history.
Wales senior men and women’s teams finished bottom of their respective Six Nations.
Only Ospreys have a slim chance of finishing in the top half of the URC and if they fail to do so, Wales for the first time will not be represented in the Champions Cup next season with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium hosting the final next May.
“It’s been a tough season on and off the field,” said Walker.
“This time last year I said it was going to be tough for a couple of years but it’s not all doom and gloom.
“There are some shoots, particularly some of the Ospreys’ performances, but they have been too few and far between.”
