Welsh union stumbles into New Year still seeking direction

The chaos within Welsh rugby continued into the New Year after the four regions condemned the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for their failure to provide a financially viable playing structure and insisted they remain committed to a breakaway European club competition.

The regions have been in dispute with the WRU over a host of issues but failed to reach an agreement by Tuesday’s deadline. They said it was impossible to plan for next season without the financial and fixture guarantees they need.

The Welsh regions have previously joined the French and English clubs in their plans for a breakaway European club competition, which has subsequently been thrown into disarray by the French clubs’ U-turn and decision to stay with the Heineken Cup.

Tuesday’s statement appears to now leave the Welsh regions and English clubs on their own. However, the format and structure for next season’s European competition is still unclear.

“RRW and the Regions re-affirm their commitment to the Rugby Champions Cup under the aegis of Six Nations, which will generate a guaranteed £12 million [HK$153 million] additional funding across the four regions over the next three years and help reduce the funding gap compared to the French, English, Irish and Scottish clubs,” Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Welsh regions have been struggling financially for many years and have seen many of their high-profile players join English and French clubs – such as George North and Mike Phillips.