CVC cash will help Wales women turn pro
WALES Women’s hopes of turning professional could be dependent on a proposed £300m investment into the Six Nations from CVC Capital Partners becoming a reality.
The Welsh Rugby Union have launched a search for a new women’s head coach in a bid to improve standards in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.
The governing body also plan for their amateur squad to turn professional or semi-professional in the next 12 months, but TRP understands the finances needed for such a move are set to be reliant on the WRU receiving their share of CVC money in the future.
CVC paid £200m for a 27 per cent stake in Premiership Rugby in 2018 and also own a 28 per cent share in the PRO14 which cost them £120m.
Talks over CVC buying 15 per cent of the Six Nations began a year ago and remain ongoing.
A Six Nations statement last week said: “An agreement is not to be expected imminently and it would be inaccurate to present it as a formality.” It is understood one of the conditions of CVC’s proposed Six Nations investment is to improve the quality of the women’s tournament.
The competition is dominated by fully professional England and France with Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy struggling to make an impact. Since 2002, only Ireland have broken England and France’s domination, winning the title in 2013 and 2015.
CVC are keen to increase competitiveness and want a portion of their investment – which will be drip fed down to each union – spent on the women’s game.
The WRU are supporters of that as they remain committed to improving the Wales side both on and off the field but lack the financial means to do so on their own.
Covid-19 has had a catastrophic impact on WRU finances with a £50m shortfall expected if there is to be no more international rugby this season.
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones – now WRU performance director – said: “It (professionalism) is a part of our plan as and when the timing is right. We’ve been huge advocates of women’s rugby. It’s an exciting time to grow and develop the game.”