{"id":31,"date":"2026-10-28T19:33:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lunexonews.com\/?p=31"},"modified":"2026-10-28T19:33:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:33:03","slug":"prem-eyes-english-expansion-despite-welsh-interest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lunexonews.com\/?p=31","title":{"rendered":"Prem eyes English expansion despite Welsh interest"},"content":{"rendered":"
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English rugby bosses have confirmed they are concentrating on expanding the Prem with English clubs rather than bringing in teams from Wales.<\/b><\/p>\n

Prem Rugby, which runs the English top flight, has released a joint statement alongside the Rugby Football Union (RFU) stating they were looking at adding two English clubs by 2029.<\/p>\n

This came after reports the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has expressed an interest in joining an Anglo-Welsh league.<\/p>\n

The Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which runs the professional game in Wales, met on Wednesday and were told the WRU plans to explore a future in the English club game.<\/p>\n

While senior sources in English club rugby have confirmed interest from the WRU, they insist negotiations are not taking place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What English bosses say<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Prem has been reduced to 10 sides after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish were forced to fold during the 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n

Traditional promotion and relegation to and from the top tier has been scrapped<\/a> from the start of the 2026-27 season after landmark changes to English rugby were voted through.<\/p>\n

Instead of earning a play-off shot at replacing the Prem’s bottom side by finishing top of the second-tier Champ and meeting the top flight’s minimum standards, clubs will instead apply to join and be judged across a range of criteria.<\/p>\n

Bids will be assessed on standard of play, finances, investment potential, infrastructure and how their geographical base could help spread the Prem’s appeal, among other factors.<\/p>\n

The league hopes to initially expand to 12 teams for the 2029-30 season with a “long-term ambition” to grow further.<\/p>\n

Conditions were initially set that any team wanting to play in the Prem will need to complete a campaign in the Champ before being considered.<\/p>\n

A joint Prem Rugby and RFU statement said: “Prem Rugby and the RFU are committed to expanding the English top-flight, with a provisional target season to grow to 12 teams by 2029-30.<\/p>\n

“The Prem is an attractive league and responsibility for its expansion sits with the Men’s Professional Rugby Board (MPRB), which has established detailed entry criteria that any prospective club would need to satisfy.<\/p>\n

“Resources are currently focused on supporting English clubs throughout the pyramid who aspire to join the league.”<\/p>\n

The RFU would have to approve Welsh teams moving into the league due to it becoming a cross-border competition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What the WRU say<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Wales have four professional sides, Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets and Dragons, that currently play in the 16-team United Rugby Championship (URC) which includes teams from Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.<\/p>\n

Welsh rugby’s governing body, along with the other national unions, are stakeholders in that league.<\/p>\n

While English bosses have revealed their intentions were on welcoming English clubs, the WRU released a more non-committal statement where they did not rule out continuing the English interest.<\/p>\n

“Welsh men’s professional teams compete in the URC and the WRU is committed to providing four teams to the URC until the end of the 2027-28 season,” it read.<\/p>\n

“By the end of this season, the WRU will have determined the future operating model for the men’s game in Wales.<\/p>\n

“The WRU will continue to work with other shareholders in the URC on future Welsh representation in the competition.<\/p>\n

“The WRU keeps under review the competition opportunities which may be available across the game and could be in the best interests of Welsh rugby.<\/p>\n

“The idea of Anglo-Welsh competitions is something often debated by Welsh rugby fans.<\/p>\n

“The WRU understands the appeal of the English top-flight, which is why we are pitching for two of our women’s teams, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, to be included in Premiership Women’s Rugby.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

English rugby bosses have confirmed they are concentrating on expanding the Prem with English clubs rather than bringing in teams from Wales. 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