ENGLISH GAMES ‘NOT ON AGENDA’
WRU chief executive Steve Phillips has revealed that securing AngloWelsh matches for the four regions is not on the agenda.
The news is poised to come as a real blow to many fans of the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and the Dragons.
They crave more fixtures against English clubs, either via a British and Irish League or an Anglo-welsh League.
There are hopes that such a competition, should it receive the goahead from the game’s governing bodies, could prove to be a real money-spinner.
But Phillips says it’s “not an on-going conversation”, apparently dismissing the idea of it happening any time soon.
Instead, the focus is on linking up with South Africa’s four Super Rugby franchises — the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions.
They will come on board for the new Rainbow Cup at the end of this season before joining on a permanent basis to form the PRO16 in 2021-22.
On the question of Anglo-welsh fixtures, Phillips told BBC Wales: “Playing more local games against English clubs is not an ongoing conversation — that’s not to say we can’t get there at a future date.
“It’s more focusing now on grabbing hold of what we have got and making a good job of it.
“For example, there is a lot of a South African diaspora in London.
“People have said to me they won’t hesitate to travel two hours to come and watch their sides.
“I get that it’s very convenient to play an English club in the West Country.
“But it’s not currently in the conversation.”
He added: “We are talking to South African Rugby about the four sides coming in.
“They have a lot of rugby pedigree. “It is an ambitious tournament and we now have (private equity firm) CVC on board.
“So why wouldn’t you want to be involved?
“There are rugby considerations and commercial matters to work through.
“The thought of the Ospreys playing the Sharks, for example, has to be a good thing in terms of crowd excitement.
“And they will bring a different form of rugby and high standard.
“Having spoken to (Wales coach) Wayne Pivac, anything where our players are exposed to high-quality competition has to be a good thing.”