Brent Cockbain says three regions are enough for Wales

The Union is considering a £2m loan to bail out the Scarlets, who have warned they could go bust over a delay in redeveloping their Stradey Park home.

"It seems strange, just the audacity of it, to prop up a club over and over again when you could let nature run its course," said Wales lock Cockbain.

"There's a lot of clubs that haven't been given this sort of leeway."

WRU chief executive Steve Lewis says four regions is the "rock-bottom" number needed for a strong national side.

But Cockbain, speaking on BBC Radio Wales' Scrum V programme, says he sees a more streamlined future for Welsh rugby.

"The further it goes along the line it'll probably end up as three regions, and it'll probably be with central contracts for players," Cockbain added.

Look at the Dragons, imagine what they could do with £2m Wales and Ospreys lock Brent Cockbain

Cockbain now plays for the Ospreys, but started his rugby career in Wales with Pontypridd and then the Celtic Warriors regional side, when Ponty combined with Bridgend.

But the Warriors folded in 2004 and Wales was left with four regions.

The demise of the Warriors has been the subject of a legal dispute between former Warriors owner Leighton Samuel and the Union.

The case is due to go to court next month, but could yet be settled out of court.

There was no rescue package forthcoming for the Warriors and Cockbain asks why the WRU should aid the Scarlets when other clubs have not been so fortunate.

"You look at the other clubs that have been aggrieved - Pontypridd, Bridgend, Caerphilly," he said.

"We had a great team at Ponty with the likes of Robert Sidoli, Ceri Sweeney, Gethin Jenkins, Mefin Davies, plus a lot of stars coming through.

"But that's professional rugby, we merged, but my biggest gripe is with the guys who didn't get contracts.

"Mefin Davies was in limbo, which was a crazy situation."

Davies, despite being a regular for Wales at hooker, eventually had to find a contract with English side Gloucester.

Situations like that are the reason why Cockbain thinks central contracts are necessary, which would also ensure all regions have an equal share of available players.

"Just look at the Newport Gwent Dragons as well, imagine what they could do with £2m," Cockbain said.

"There's 10 or 15 world-class players (who were available to sign), the likes of Regan King, Justin Marshall, Stephen Jones - just imagine what the Dragons could do with them."

The Scarlets want to build 450 houses on their Stradey Park ground, as part of plans for a new 15,000-seater stadium at Pemberton.

But the Stradey application was called in by the Welsh Assembly Government in July, just before it was due to go before Carmarthenshire County Council's planning committee.

Scarlets chairman and benefactor Huw Evans has said the delay will cost them £2m.