By Islam El-Sakka
Gallagher Premiership Rugby is prioritizing expansion with English clubs after a report suggested Welsh clubs were interested in joining the league.
Welsh Interest Reported but Not Advanced
Wales Online reported that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had expressed strong interest in creating an Anglo-Welsh league amid uncertainty over the future of the club game in Wales. However, sources indicate that negotiations are not at an advanced stage, although talks have taken place between the WRU and Premiership executives.
Expansion Plans and Entry Criteria
The Premiership currently comprises 10 teams and aims to add two more by the 2029/30 season, with potential for further growth. Any club wishing to join the top flight must spend at least one season in the Championship first. Promotion and relegation have been removed, replaced by stringent entry criteria that are being finalized by the Men's Professional Rugby Board (MPRB).
RFU Approval Required
Any possible addition of Welsh clubs would require approval from England's Rugby Football Union (RFU). In a joint statement, the Premiership and RFU said they are committed to expanding the English top-flight, with a provisional target of 12 teams by 2029-30. The MPRB has established detailed entry criteria that any prospective club must satisfy.
Focus on English Clubs and Investment
The league has formed a dedicated office to develop prospective clubs, with revived sides Worcester and London Irish among those expressing interest. Premiership chiefs are also actively seeking fresh investment in existing clubs.
Historical Context and Reservations
The idea of an Anglo-Welsh venture has been proposed for decades; the WRU turned down a similar proposal in the 1990s. Senior Premiership figures are understood to have reservations about adding another stakeholder, especially as the relationship with the RFU has strengthened. The "P-share" buy-in cost, currently valued around £20 million, could also be a significant hurdle.
Welsh Rugby Union Position and URC Future
Four Welsh clubs currently compete in the United Rugby Championship (URC), which also includes teams from Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, and Italy. The WRU plans to reduce that number to three by 2028, with the Ospreys and Scarlets at risk under current proposals. The WRU stated it remains committed to providing four teams to the URC until the end of the 2027-28 season and will determine the future operating model for the men's game in Wales by the end of this season.
Women's Teams Also in Discussion
The WRU is also pitching for two of its women's teams, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, to be included in Premiership Women's Rugby.
