Prem Rugby has cooled on the idea of an Anglo-Welsh league despite interest from the WRU, following landmark changes to English rugby. The Prem was reduced to 10 sides after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish folded during the 2022-23 season, and traditional promotion and relegation has been scrapped from the 2026-27 season. Instead, clubs will apply to join based on criteria including standard of play, finances, investment potential, infrastructure and geographical spread. The league aims to expand to 12 teams by 2029-30 under the Men's Professional Rugby Board (MPRB), with entry requiring satisfaction of detailed criteria.
Wales currently has four professional regions — Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets and Dragons — competing in the 16-team United Rugby Championship (URC). The WRU remains committed to the URC until the end of the 2027-28 season but is exploring future competition opportunities. New WRU chair Lyndon Faulkner has expressed support for Anglo-Welsh competitions, and the union is pursuing inclusion of two women's teams — Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning — in Premiership Women's Rugby.
The WRU posted an £18m loss for the latest financial year, up from £7.2m the previous year, citing unsustainable costs of maintaining four professional regions. With a £20m P-share entry cost and reduced funding capacity, the union plans to cut a professional side by 2028, with three licences awarded across capital, east and west regions.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing