NORTH Wales rugby is going to get another huge shot in the arm with the radical changes made by the sport’s governing body.

The Welsh Rugby Union are set to introduce a new northern region as part of Project Reset, with Scarlets and Ospreys set to merge as part of the new changes.

While the news will come as a significant blow to Ospreys and Scarlets supporters, the same cannot be said for rugby fans across the region as they will now have a prominent region to call their own after a prolonged time in the wilderness.

There can be little argument that the game has grown considerably across the area thanks in no small part to the phenomenal rise to prominence of RGC 1404, who are now a firmly established Principality Premiership side and have even lifted the WRU National Cup for the first time in their history.

Perhaps more important is the work the Gogs’ have done building interest and increased participation at youth level thanks to a wide range of community projects, and the ongoing success of their Rugby Academy has produced the majority of their senior squad members, Welsh youth internationals and others such as Sean Lonsdale and Tom Williams who are operating at high-profile clubs across the country.

Giving the north its own region is the logical next step, and whether that be at Stadiwm Zip World or somewhere else there can be little doubt that there is a market for it, and would hopefully see those who make the long journey to south Wales to witness the regions in action look a little closer to home.

This will not happen overnight and long-term plans to make the north a powerhouse in the national game should take this into consideration, and there will be plenty of sceptics during the initial stages of the transition.

But why shouldn’t the north have a region? Rugby development should not be restricted to the south and given how much scope there is to develop the game in the future this move is long overdue.

The evidence is there for all to see – RGC 1404 have already proven that – and with more funding, a more professional approach and even more community involvement the sky is the limit in terms of the boost not only a northern rugby region can bring to the immediate area, but also the impact is can make on the national game as a whole.