Having canvassed views from key stakeholders including coaches, players, regions, media and clubs throughout the country, as part ofa comprehensive externally audited review, the Welsh Rugby Union has rubber stamped changes to the top tier of its league structure which will drastically improve the player pathway system within Wales and create a new ‘fit-for-purpose’ top tier club league.
The review process has seen the opinions of all interested parties being sought and considered and the recommendations were ratified by the WRU Board last week.
The aim is to create the best possible competition structure in Wales to support player, coach, and referee development from club, to regional rugby to international team and create a vibrant Premiership league which suits the needs of the clubs who play in it.
A further intention of the new structure is to produce Welsh internationals and PRO14/EPCR players and further enhance the chances of success at the 2023 and 2027 Rugby World Cups.
"Our current system is a compromise which doesn’t serve the professional game, our players or our clubs in the best way possible and we have universal agreement on that," said WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.
"We currently ask the Premiership to play a vital role in the pathway of our professional and international players, but also expect a vibrant and competitive league competition with clubs who are at the heart of their local communities representing all the history that goes with Welsh club game.
"The evidence is that it is not possible to do both in one competition, so the solution is to separate the two and create a professional regional U23 competition that services all the requirements of a successful player pathway to run alongside a club competition where the clubs can do what they do best.
"The club game will benefit from a league structure that works, with the jeopardy of relegation and promotion and continued support, not just financial, but also in terms coach development, medical support and facilities provision.
"Our Premiership clubs can focus on being the best club in Wales without the burden of demand we place upon them in terms of player pathway and the regional U23 competition will answer many of the current problems providing the right environment to develop our elite players."
The regional U23 competition will be staged in set blocks – the first will be in Sept/Oct with an end of season block held in April.
In between there will be a ‘development’ block in December as Wales U20 prepare for the Six Nations while simultaneously players will be identified for the National Succession Plan as agreed by WRU and the Regions.
During these blocks, detailed plans will be proposed for each player which could see them placed in a region, moved to Wales Sevens or based with a Premiership club or even given an overseas placement – all dependent on player plans and requirements.
The new approach will be player-focussed with individualised programmes designed by the Regions with dedicated support services (ie: S&C, physio, nutrition etc)
A stream-lined Premiership will be trimmed from 16 to 12 clubs from the start of the 2019-20 campaign, with promotion/relegation from the Championship being re-introduced and the prospect of a play-off between the top Championship side and 12th placed Premiership to decide promotion in the first year being mooted.
"The primary focus is to ensure every game counts to find the best club in Wales in what will be a vibrant, tribal competition with funding being made available to enable progress on and off the field," added the WRU head of performance Geraint John.
"The club season will provide uninterrupted league fixtures and a national Cup competition and could also involve a cross-border competition at the end of the campaign, with discussions ongoing.
"With hard fought promotion and relegation battles, any gap in playing standards between the Premiership and Championship will close significantly.
"We will employ dedicated resource to support coaching and commercial programmes at both club and Regional U23 level, while relationships between the regions and clubs will be actively encouraged with collaboration for mutual benefit.
"There are a number of further benefits with the new structure. There will be regular home and away fixtures for clubs with an enhanced game schedule improving player welfare."
