Prem eyes English expansion despite Welsh interest

Welsh rugby may be keen on forming an Anglo-Welsh league but the Prem and RFU say they are only currently looking at English clubs in any expansion. Cardiff faced Northampton in the Heineken Champions Cup earlier this month English rugby bosses have confirmed they are concentrating on expanding the Prem with English clubs rather than bringing in teams from Wales. 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. This came after reports the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has expressed an interest in joining an Anglo-Welsh league. 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.

While senior sources in English club rugby have confirmed interest from the WRU, they insist negotiations are not taking place. The Prem has been reduced to 10 sides after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish were forced to fold during the 2022-23 season. Traditional promotion and relegation to and from the top tier has been scrapped from the start of the 2026-27 season after landmark changes to English rugby were voted through. Instead of earning a play-off shot at replacing the Prem's bottom