URC offer support to the WRU amid regional concerns

THE BKT United Rugby Championship say they are supporting the Welsh Rugby Union amid the ongoing process of moving away from four equally-funded professional sides in Wales.

- BEN JAMES Rugby Writer

Last month saw the WRU announce there will no longer be four equally funded teams after the Ospreys and Scarlets decided against signing up to the new Professional Rugby Agreement.

Both refused to agree to it over a lack of clarity around the WRU's recent takeover of Cardiff, meaning the future of four professional clubs in Wales is now under intense scrutiny after the WRU served a two-year notice on the current financial model.

The latest dramatic development in Welsh rugby means the WRU are now seriously considering reducing the number of professional sides to three, or even two.

That would have a major impact on the URC, but URC chief executive Martin Anayi says the league are in constant dialogue with the WRU over the situation.

"The WRU are contractually obliged but they are a shareholder of the league and we talk to them all the time about what is best for Welsh rugby," said Anayi.

"What we really want is competitive Welsh regions and ultimately how you get that, what resourcing does that need in the modern environment and what resourcing is available in Wales.