Prem Rugby and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the top flight with domestic English clubs. This move follows recent reports suggesting that the Welsh Rugby Union was engaged in advanced discussions to potentially incorporate two Welsh teams into the Premiership, effectively turning the competition into a cross-border event.
The governing bodies stated their clear focus remains on domestic teams as they prepare for an expansion from 10 to 12 teams by the 2029-2030 season. “Resources are currently focused on supporting English clubs throughout the pyramid who aspire to join the league,” the organizations said in a joint statement. They added that the Men’s Professional Rugby Board is responsible for expansion and has already established strict entry criteria that any applicant must satisfy.
This clarification arrives as the Welsh Rugby Union navigates a significant financial crisis, having recently reported a loss of £18.1m for the 2025-26 season. The union has indicated that these financial pressures support their internal goal of reducing their professional regions from four to three. While such a transition would require formal approval from the RFU, the current stance from English officials suggests no appetite for integrating external sides. According to it comes as the WRU wrestles with a financial crisis that saw it announce a loss of £18.1m for 2025-26 last week, a figure that it, Strengthens its case to reduce the number of regions from four to three.
Potential entry into the Premiership remains a high-stakes investment, with costs estimated at up to £23.5m for an interested club. This total encompasses the purchase of a P-share, which grants voting rights and a portion of central income, alongside a mandatory requirement to fund a Premiership Women’s Rugby programme.
