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The Gallagher Prem has insisted it remains focused on expanding with England clubs after a report of Welsh interest in joining the league.
Wales Online claimed that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had expressed strong interest in creating an Anglo-Welsh league with the future of the club game within the country uncertain.
It is understood that the suggestion that negotiations are at an advanced stage is wide of the mark, although talks have taken place between the WRU and Prem executives.
The Prem, which currently contains 10 teams, has expressed a desire to add two more by the 2029/30 season and potentially grow further in the future. It has stated that any clubs wishing to join the top flight will have to spend at least a year within the Champ first.
Promotion and relegation has been removed with potential joiners instead having to meet a stringent range of league standards which are in the process of being finalised. Any possible addition of Welsh clubs to the league would require approval from England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU).
“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,” the Prem and RFU said
“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.
“Resources are currently focused on supporting English clubs throughout the pyramid who aspire to join the league.”
The Prem has formed a so-called league office aimed to develop prospective clubs who may wish to join the expansion division. The revived Worcester and London Irish are among those to have already expressed interest, while league chiefs are also actively seeking fresh investment in their existing clubs.
The idea of an Anglo-Welsh venture, or British and Irish league, has long been proposed. In 1999, the WRU turned down a proposal that would have seen five clubs join the English rugby pyramid.
Senior figures at the Prem are understood to have held reservations over the prospect of adding an additional stakeholder to the competition, with the relationship with the RFU having become stronger over the last few years.
The Prem “P-share” – essentially an up-front cost to buy into the English top flight currently valued at around £20m – could also prove a significant stumbling block.
There are currently four Welsh clubs within the United Rugby Championship (URC), which also includes sides from Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and Italy.
The WRU has said that it plans to cut one of those four by 2028, with the Ospreys and Scarlets at risk under current proposals. It is not clear how that could be impacted by any possible joining of the Prem.
“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,” a WRU statement said.
“By the end of this season, the WRU will have determined the future operating model for the men’s game in Wales.
“The WRU will continue to work with other shareholders in the URC on future Welsh representation in the competition.
“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.
“The idea of Anglo-Welsh competitions is something often debated by Welsh rugby fans.
“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.”
