Plans from the WRU to create a new elite league below regional rugby for eight teams are "delusional" and would have damaging financial implications. And executive board member of Pontypridd RFC, Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, says unless a radical overhaul of the game at all levels is enacted Wales faces becoming a permanent second tier playing nation.
The former senior investment banking executive says that Welsh rugby cannot "shrink to greatness" while ignoring the clubs, their members, stakeholders and basic commercial realities. He also claims that the WRU has been labouring under a "catastrophically damaging misapprehension" that the professional game can exist in a "bubble almost completely disconnected operationally and culturally" from the semi-professional and community game, as well as schools and universities.
The union has set out initial plans - although far from being confirmed - for a new league for eight teams from the 2024-25 season. If taken forward it would be made up of four clubs drawn within the pathways of the four regions, a guaranteed place for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), with the remaining three places from other clubs in the existing semi-professional Premiership. The league is currently made up of 12 teams, but is being increased to 14 from next season. Last year the Premiership clubs unanimously rejected plans from the WRU to reduce the number to nine.
