Sam Warburton admits he's anticipating another difficult year for the Welsh regions amid financial difficulties, but is adamant that four professional teams is still the correct number.
Welsh rugby has just endured a testing campaign that saw financial uncertainty overshadow the game. A new six-year framework was agreed upon, but it means each of the regions will see their budgets come down over the next couple of years.
Given how much of a struggle it's been to be competitive as it is, it's hard to envisage how things will improve with belts being tightened next season.
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When asked if he was confident about things improving, Canterbury ambassador Warburton said: "No, I think it's going to be a tough year next year.
"I've got friends at Cardiff and they're training with barely any numbers right now with boys at World Cup and injured players. I am concerned for some teams in Europe and when they play away in Ireland.
"I think we'll see some less-than-flattering results next year. We might be surprised but from my understanding, the regions aren't set up for much success next season.
"They might tread water. I hate saying that. I want them to succeed and I'd love for them to prove me wrong.
"But I don't think the regions have been set up for success. I think it'll be a tough year."
Given the struggles, talks continues to persist of the number of professional teams in Wales being reduced.
Exploratory talks of a merger between Cardiff and Ospreys have been held as the question of whether there's enough money to sustain four clubs continues to be asked.
However, former Cardiff back-row Warburton doesn't expect anything to happen on that front as he insists the current number is the correct one.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Warburton said of the merger reports. "We've seen the Ospreys and Scarlets, then the Ospreys and Ealing.
"It's completely understandable that if a business is struggling financially, which all the regions obviously are, they have to explore options. They have to have these discussions.
"That's all they are. They're very tentative discussions exploring opportunities. That's what we do, whether it's recruiting players or trying to save a business.
"We know you have to explore those opportunities. We all know Welsh rugby isn't very tight-lipped and these things get out.
"It's nothing more than a very early tentative discussion to see if it would work just because the clubs are in such financial difficulty. I don't think it's anyone's preferred option.
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"It's just a discussion because it could potentially keep clubs alive. That's the state we're in at the minute. Would we rather see that or a club die? Personally, I don't think it would happen.
"I can't see it happening and my understanding is it won't happen. Not any time soon anyway. The only thing I'd like is to keep hold of four professional teams.
"I really agree with what David Buttress said not long ago. You can't keep chopping off arms otherwise you end up with three, then two. That's not good.
"We need to work really hard to keep four professional clubs. I'd really love to see a long-term strategy for a region up north. I really feel we need to explore that.
"Given Wales has the smallest population out of the top 10 nations in the world, we have to have a robust plan to do something up there. Whether that takes five or 10 years, I think something has to be done to explore that.
"Whatever happens, I think we really have to hold onto four professional clubs."
Sam Warburton is a Canterbury ambassador. Sam was speaking as Canterbury and The British & Irish Lions extend their partnership for the 2025 tour of Australia, launching the Origins Schools programme, marking the first official collaboration between The British & Irish Lions, Canterbury, and schools’ rugby. You can visit the Canterbury website here.
