The Celtic Warriors have been fully bought out by the Welsh Rugby Union.

The team, based around Bridgend and Pontypridd in south Wales, is now likely to be disbanded, with the players being shared round the other regional sides.

The Warriors were relatively successful on the pitch this season, but off it they have been bitterly divided.

When Pontypridd went into administration, the WRU was given a 50% share of the region.

Now it has it emerged that they have agreed to buy the other 50 % from owner Leighton Samuel.

The WRU has never hidden its desire to have just four regional sides, and now it wll have the power to fulfill that wish.