The prospect of an Anglo-Welsh league is off the table after initial discussions between the URC and Premiership Rugby officials failed to produce a workable agreement.
In recent talks, both competitions explored ideas to boost their appeal in future broadcasting deals, recognizing that neither the URC nor the Premiership has achieved the commercial success they’re aiming for.
A prime suggestion had been to introduce an Anglo-Welsh conference within the URC, which would have suited the Welsh professional teams— Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets — by securing a more competitive platform.
Another idea on the table was a two-division structure, blending teams from the URC and Premiership and introducing promotion and relegation.
However, according to a report by WalesOnline, divergent views within Premiership Rugby Limited (PRL) have seen the idea of an Anglo-Welsh conference lose momentum.
The sticking points appear to be both the commercial viability of an Anglo-Welsh structure and the involvement of four Welsh clubs, which some English sides reportedly feel is excessive.
Given the shaky financial health of many Premiership clubs, discussions around alternative formats and revenue-boosting ideas may yet be revived. But, for now, the prospect of an Anglo-Welsh competition remains sidelined, with no clear path forward.
The URC issued a statement in September denying any plans for a merger that would exclude South African and Italian teams, indicating that any changes must account for the competition’s multinational structure.
The statement also emphasised the league’s growth since the inaugural season in 2021, with official attendance and broadcast figures growing.
Photo: @ospreys/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
