Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has hit back at Warren Gatland's “inflammatory and clumsy” comments about regional rugby.
The Wales coach said Welsh rugby was like a “sinking ship” and he was not 100% sure a much-needed regional reset would occur.
But Booth said the Ospreys had already undergone a “root and branch reset” since he took over as coach in 2020.
And his comments came after Cardiff's Matt Sherratt said Gatland's abuse was unnecessary.
“I don't think we've reached full equality,” Booth said. [but] Some of it was a little exciting and maybe a little awkward.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion. That caused a reaction. If that reaction gives us the energy to make positive change, you'll see what happens.”
Booth led the Ospreys to the Champions Cup knockout stages last season, but saw a number of senior players leave in the summer amid severe budget cuts across Welsh rugby.
Gareth Anscombe, Dan Lydiate, Thomas Francis, Rhys Webb, Joe Hawkins and new England cap Ethan Roots have all left Swansea, while Alun Wyn Jones and Scott Baldwin have retired.
This has accelerated the focus on youth, with the likes of Dan Edwards, Morgan Morse and Hari Deeves already emerging as the Ospreys climb to seventh place in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
“Exceptional even in adversity”
Sunday's Last-gasp victory over Ulster It was Ospreys' ninth win in 14 games in all competitions.
“We won two games the season before I got here after COVID-19, but Root and Branch have been completely reset since then,” Booth said.
“I said we would develop our players, and many of our players performed well in adversity.
“We've come from behind to win most of our games, so you know we're working hard.
“We're young, we're healthy, we're finding our way, and that speaks volumes about the depths of a reset we're in.”
Gatland said that while few regions had the funds available in the transfer market, regions needed to prioritize investment in staff and facilities over signing players.
The Ospreys aim to move out of Swansea.com Stadium by the 2025-26 season and move to a new venue that will also include improved training facilities.
“We want to build the right environment with the right resources, and as we move into new territory, our plan is to have the infrastructure in place to cover all of that,” Booth said. .
“But making these happen requires planning, time, buy-in and investment from everyone involved.”