A potential merger between the URC and the English Premiership, split into two divisions with promotion and relegation, is reportedly under serious consideration.
This is according to a bombshell report by WalesOnline, alleging that neither the URC nor the English Premiership had achieved the commercial goals it had set itself in recent season.
This has reportedly resulted in ongoing discussions between the chiefs of both leagues and a private equity firm CVC, which owns a 27% share of the Premiership and 28% of the URC as well as a large stake in the Six Nations.
TWO OPTIONS FOR POTENTIAL URC AND PREMIERSHIP MERGER
As per the report, both competitions are looking at ways of increasing the value of future broadcasting deals and two merger options have been tabled to that effect.
One option being seriously considered is merging both leagues into two divisions with promotion and relegation. All sides would play each other home and away with play-offs at the end of the season.
The second option being looked at is an Anglo-Welsh conference within the URC. In this model, Wales’ four professional clubs — Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets — would primarily face English sides during the season before joining the playoffs.
While Welsh clubs favour this approach for its reduced travel, rekindling of historic rivalries, and the more level playing field created by England’s salary cap, there’s disagreement among English clubs. Some prefer regular fixtures against heavyweight Irish provinces, while others are keen on limiting the involvement of South African and Italian teams.
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 attendances and broadcast figures growing.
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