Welsh rugby chief Geraint John has admitted the decision to distance the Premiership from the professional game was a mistake.
Four years ago, John was involved in an extensive review process that canvassed clubs, players and other stakeholders, paving the way for regional under-23 teams to replace the Premiership as the vehicle to develop the best young players in Wales.
At the time, the semi-pro tier was not deemed to be adequately preparing prodigious young talents for the rigours of the elite game. By 2018, ‘Premiership select’ teams run by the four regions had replaced the clubs in the British and Irish Cup but were routinely hammered, winning just 17 of 73 matches before the competition was binned.
