Wales hooker Ken Owens has branded the expected Scarlets-Ospreys merger the "most challenging situation" of his career.
The British and Irish Lions front-rower is among scores of professional players whose immediate futures are in limbo, with Wales' Professional Game Board (PRB) thrashing out a way forward in meetings held on Tuesday.
A new professional team in north Wales could also be set up, in Welsh rugby's biggest domestic shake-up since the inception of regional sides 16 years ago.
Scarlets hooker Owens, the Welsh Rugby Players' Association chairman, revealed his fears in a candid statement.
"As the chairman of the WRPA I am deeply concerned about the situation that the players across the four regions face," said Owens.
"I recognise that this is the most challenging situation that I or arguably any player has faced during our rugby careers.
"I appeal to all stakeholders to have the concerns and welfare needs of all those that stand to be affected by the proposed changes at the forefront of their minds.
"It's also clear players need to be represented on the PRB because they can and must be part of the solution. Without them there is no Welsh Rugby."
Wales' PRB comprises representatives from the Welsh Rugby Union, Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff Blues.
It is understood that the favoured plan is to retain four regional teams, but they would comprise north Wales, an Ospreys-Scarlets merger, Blues and Dragons.
The Scarlets currently play at Parc-y-Scarlets in Llanelli, while the Ospreys use Swansea's Liberty Stadium for their home games.
Any merger would need to establish a home ground, in addition to issues such as the new team's name and kit.
So-called Project Reset is being played out against a backdrop of Wales chasing this season's Guinness Six Nations title and a possible Grand Slam.
Welsh Rugby Players' Association chief executive Andries Pretorius has also voiced his concerns over the latest plans.
"This is an incredibly challenging time for players, who clearly are vital to the success and future of Welsh Rugby," said Pretorius.
"We are told the game is not sustainable in its current form in Wales and major changes are needed.
"In the face of that uncertainty over the course of this season, players have responded incredibly constructively, giving their all for their regions and our country, and recognising the need to play their part in a healthy future for our sport.
"But with such a seismic change seemingly now proposed for our professional game we are deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the livelihoods of players and their families."
Wales face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, followed by Ireland in Cardiff seven days later. Victories in both games would secure a first Six Nations clean sweep since 2012.
Around half of Wales' matchday 23 for the Scotland clash is likely to comprise Ospreys and Scarlets players.
If a merger goes ahead, players like Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Davies, George North, Owens and Leigh Halfpenny will be part of the same regional squad.
The WRU has not commented on Tuesday's planned discussions.
Senior Wales players did meet with the governing body last week, though, to discuss a number of issues on the future of regional rugby.
Speaking last week, Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said: "It's uncertain times, which is disappointing.
"There is a lot of frustration, not only for the best players in Wales, but for their mates in the regions.
"There is an uncertainty about Project Reset, and they would like to know where they are going to be playing next year or in two years' time."
Wales boss Warren Gatland added at a press conference on Tuesday: "It comes down to being able to put enough finances and resources into the game. For me, I would love nothing better than two or three teams challenging in Europe."
The Ospreys announced that the region's chairman Mike James has resigned as their chaitman, citing the WRU's "catastrophic mismanagement" of efforts to overhaul the game.
James made his the announcement at the start of Tuesday's Professional Rugby Board meeting in Cardiff.
In a statement released by the Ospreys, James said: "None of us doubt that regional rugby requires restructuring in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the game.
"The way in which this has been handled, however, is nothing short of chaotic, resulting in a fatal combination of uncertainty, conjecture and insecurity now hanging over regional rugby's future.
"To methodically, rationally and impartially map out the future of regional rugby is one thing. To fatally wound it with an ill-judged, cavalier process is another.
"We now have the worst of all worlds – a lack of clarity, a lack of transparency and a total inability to plan ahead.
"We can no longer make sound rugby or business decisions, and nor can our players or commercial partners. Project Reset has become Project Inept.
"I cannot, and will not, be a party to this level of catastrophic mismanagement, and today I've made the decision to stand down as both chairman and a director of the Ospreys, surrendering my position on the PRB."
