Latest news with #Anglo-Welsh
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Anglo-Welsh league moves close if Wales cuts to two teams in new twist
Anglo-Welsh league moves close if Wales cuts to two teams in new twist Talks have been happening behind the scenes and it is thought two Welsh teams would be welcome to join England's best An Anglo-Welsh league could be back on the table (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) An Anglo-Welsh league is on the table if the Welsh Rugby Union can reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to two, WalesOnline has learnt. The professional game in Wales is set for its biggest transformation since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, with a reduction from four to two clubs the current direction of travel. An Anglo-Welsh league has been the preference of Welsh rugby powerbrokers for quite some time and it is now a very real possibility. Sources in England have told WalesOnline there is a strong desire within the English game to add two extra teams to the Gallagher Premiership, with both PRL and the Rugby Football Union in favour of including a couple of Welsh clubs. PRL considered a merger with the United Rugby Championship last season which would have created an Anglo-Welsh conference but opted against it. English rugby is also set for significant change with the Premiership set to turn into a franchise league with a centralisation of commercial deals and relegation scrapped. After London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors went to the wall a few years ago the Premiership has had to rethink its strategy and it hopes the new franchise model would make the league more financially secure while also giving it the best chance of attracting new investment. Article continues below There are talks under way to transfer two Welsh clubs out of the United Rugby Championship and into the Premiership. A move to the Premiership would be transformational for Welsh rugby and would almost certainly lead to an increase in interest, crowds, a better TV deal along with the potential to attract more lucrative sponsors and investment than if they remained in the URC. The WRU and its four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - are currently working hard behind the scenes to come up with a solution. Following the Ospreys and Scarlets' decision not to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement following the WRU's acquisition of Cardiff the future of the professional game has been thrown into question. There is an acceptance across the board that things cannot continue as they are with retaining the status quo no longer a viable option. The men's national side have lost a record 18 Test matches in a row with last Saturday's 24-19 defeat against a poor Japan side arguably Wales' worst defeat since the game turned professional. This shocking run of results will have serious financial ramifications for the game in Wales and the WRU's priority is to create a structure whereby the national side can start winning regularly again. There is agreement across the board that young Welsh players need to be playing in teams who are regularly competing and winning big European knockout games. To do this it is estimated there will need to be playing budgets of at least £9m with significant investment into the academies, the pathway and Super Rygbi Cymru. This cannot be achieved with four teams and a concentration of talent should uplift standards across the board and potentially lead to Wales being granted entry to an Anglo-Welsh league. Were the WRU to pull its teams out of the URC it could potentially be liable to fines from the competition but this is not certain. As exclusively revealed by WalesOnline last month one potential option the URC are looking at is bringing in two American franchises based out of Chicago and Miami, while Georgian outfit Black Lion and South African side the Cheetahs are other potential options. Article continues below But if the URC was to go down the US route it is expected to be extremely lucrative which would offset the potential loss of the Welsh sides. Any change to the number of professional teams in Wales or a potential change of competition is targeted for the 2026/27 season.
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The options available for Welsh rugby after two-year notice period activated
The options available for Welsh rugby after two-year notice period activated Welsh rugby faces an uncertain few months with big changes afoot The Welsh Rugby Union will no longer allow four equally funded teams (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) The future of professional rugby in Wales is extremely uncertain after both the Ospreys and Scarlets refused to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement. As a result, the Welsh Rugby Union issued a two-year notice on the old PRA which both clubs will remain on next season after Cardiff and the Dragons signed the new agreement. Next season, there will be a tiered funding model with Cardiff and the Dragons receiving more WRU payments than the west Wales clubs. But the long-term future of the professional game in Wales is up in the air with the WRU hoping to put a firm plan in place by September. The old PRA put back on the table for all four clubs The WRU are adamant the new PRA is off the table for both the Ospreys and Scarlets. In the new PRA, all four clubs were to see an increase in funding, would be funded equally, while the WRU would transfer their debts acquired during Covid onto its own balance sheet. But after the west Wales clubs refused to sign it after failing to meet the WRU's deadline, the governing body announced it would call in the two-year notice period on the old PRA and insisted it would no longer fund the four professional clubs equally. If the WRU were to go back, it would prove to be an extraordinary U-turn and the leadership of the governing body would be questioned. But might a public outcry and pressure from politicians within the Ospreys and Scarlets regions force the WRU to reconsider its position? Nothing is out of the question but it does seem highly unlikely as things stand. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Financially things have changed, with the WRU now requiring the funding directors at the professional clubs to contribute £41m over five years as opposed to the £22m it initially asked. Also, it had hoped to secure what would have been a lucrative Anglo-Welsh conference if PRL had combined with the United Rugby Championship. The poor performance of the men's national side has also hit the WRU hard, while national insurance contributions have risen and media rights are down. A club goes bust If the WRU want to go down to three, the easiest solution would be to scrap Cardiff given they own the capital city club. But not having a professional club in Wales' capital city is commercial lunacy, while they are also currently the best supported Welsh side and have an extremely strong brand. In the old PRA, the professional clubs win with the union and they lose with the union, whereas in the new one there is fixed funding for three years. Any upside in the WRU's profit goes to the professional clubs but if the governing body underachieves financially that hurts the clubs. This is the deal the Ospreys and the Scarlets will be on next season. As it stands, both the Ospreys and Scarlets will be operating with playing budgets of under £5m next season, but the biggest issue is any potential WRU clawbacks. The PRA they are on includes an underperformance clause, so for example if the WRU lost £4m last year, both the Ospreys and the Scarlets would be subject to clawbacks. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free For example, the WRU could demand money is returned - depending on the terms of the contract - or it could decide to issue a lower payment. Also, on top of this, they have to repay the CLBILS loan taken out during Covid, which is no longer a burden on the shoulders of Cardiff or the Dragons. But even if this was the case, both clubs would survive as long as their funding directors continue to cover any losses. By not signing PRA 25, the future of both clubs in the west has been thrown into doubt. If one club goes to the wall then the WRU could decide not to assume ownership and Welsh rugby would be down to three professional clubs. Or if two went bust, they could assume ownership of one club by playing out of either Parc y Scarlets or St Helen's. Mergers The other option is for the Ospreys and Scarlets to merge. In theory, this would create a strong side which should be able to compete in the latter stages of both the United Rugby Championship and European competitions - but it is not as straightforward as that. If two companies merge, it is usually the case they take on each other's debt which would put any new entity on the backfoot. But a large amount of their debt is actually owed to the WRU, so might the union offer to write it off if they both merge? Nothing is out of the question at this stage. Of course, another radical solution would be to merge the Ospreys with Cardiff given the capital city club is owned by the WRU. A permanent tiered funding model Tiered funding models are not a new invention and were prevalent during Project Reset with the Scarlets receiving more than the other clubs based on performance. But for the clubs to be competitive at the cutting edge of competitions it would likely need to be a very aggressive model to work. However, the biggest barrier to success in this regard is the fact three of the four professional clubs are private businesses. Who is going to accept semi-skimmed status? The answer is nobody. Could you imagine the Ospreys being one of the lowest two and losing players like Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake or Dan Edwards to the Dragons? They would not stand for it unless they had no other choice. Welsh rugby's culture and ownership model makes this unlikely to work in the long run. Why would the WRU want a reduction of professional clubs? The WRU are considering a reduction to three professional clubs, while going down to two is also not out of the question. If Wales was to go down to three clubs it would concentrate both money and talent into three teams which in theory should drive up standards. For too long, the emphasis in Welsh rugby has been on quantity over quality. The current structure spreads playing talent too thinly. A reduction to three teams would concentrate that talent, improve squad depth, and, in theory, drive up standards across the board. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. It would also create greater accountability, with players forced to fight harder for places, contracts and game-time — a dynamic that invariably sharpens performance. Such a move wouldn't just be financially motivated but there is a strong rugby argument behind it. Also, is this really how professional sport should work and imagine trying to sell season tickets and attracting sponsors as one of the plus two. Legal action Of course, this could drag on for a significant amount of time if the two clubs in the west decide to take legal action. The clubs may complain there has been an abuse of the WRU's dominant position and that this amounts to anti-competitive behaviour. Some might also argue there is a lack of contractual fairness and equity in this whole process. Article continues below The WRU would inevitably counter such accusation by saying they offered the exact same deal to the Ospreys and Scarlets as they did to the other two professional clubs. But if this goes legal, it could prolong this whole saga and the WRU's hopes of putting a solution in place by September would just be a case of wishful thinking.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The brother of a Premier League footballer is Welsh boxing's next big thing
The brother of a Premier League footballer is Welsh boxing's next big thing Taylor Bevan is bidding to continue his impressive professional boxing career in London this weekend Super middleweight Taylor Bevan is bidding to become Welsh boxing's next superstar (Image: Rob Browne ) "What we're seeing now is the education of a real, world-class prospect". So said a beaming Eddie Hearn shortly after watching one of his latest and most promising prospects cruise to a stunning first-round win over Ales Makovec in front of a raucous Manchester crowd. 'MONSTER KO', is the title of one video that pops up when you search Taylor Bevan's name online, and those eye-catching heavy hits have clearly helped fuel what already feels like something of a meteoric rise. Saturday's bout with Juan Cruz Cacheiro will be just the fourth fight of Bevan's professional career, and a win would bring him a step closer to reaching the target of a 7-0 record Hearn has challenged him to achieve before the end of the year. An American debut could also on the cards before 2026 rolls round, meaning there are potentially plenty of really big nights ahead for the 24-year-old. "I enjoy putting on a show. I want to do that for people that have come out and spent their hard-earned money," he tells WalesOnline ahead of his fight, which is part of the undercard for the heavyweight rematch between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen at the Cooperbox Arena in London. Article continues below "They come out to support me so I want to put on a show for them. I wouldn't say I'm someone that loves all the attention like a Chris Eubank or something. I don't have this massive persona or whatever but I want to put on exciting attacking performances for people that come to watch me. Like I said, they're paying for that and I hope it's the start of a long journey. "I couldn't have asked for more really in terms of how performances have gone so far. I think this stage in my career is about getting those highlight reel knockouts that grab people's attention. So I can start building that interest and building a following. I'm very lucky that the following I have back in Southampton and a few in Wales have come out to support me so far." Eddie Hearn has tipped Taylor Bevan for a big future (Image: Mark Robinson/) Born and raised in Winchester, Taylor gets just as much backing in Hampshire as he does in Wales, whom he represented when he won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. Taylor is reluctant to err fully one way or the other when examining the dynamics of his Anglo-Welsh heritage, which is understandable when one delves into his journey up until this point. After all, his English father, Lester, himself is a boxing coach, has always been an important inspiration in his career. "My dad always pushed to do sports and physical activity," he says. "I remember before I even took sport seriously, he'd take us out on runs and I remember crying because I just hated it, running up all these hills and that. "I started boxing when I was about 11 or 12 and then maybe took it more seriously when I was about 14. It's a sport where if you're not giving it 100 per cent then there's no point in doing it. If you get in the ring with an opponent it's you or him. If you're not giving 100 per cent you're not going to win." Wales' Taylor Bevan (Red) picked up a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 (Image: PA ) But while reluctant to turn away from the English side of his identity, Wales is clearly a hugely important part of the Bevan family identity, which is perhaps evidenced by Taylor's decision to now base himself in Cardiff. Taylor's mother hails from Pontypridd, while his brother Owen is a footballer who's been capped five times by Wales at under-21 level. He's also currently on the books of Premier League side Bournemouth. "My brother actually played football for Wales before I did," he says. "That's how it came about that I ended up representing Wales. "I think Wales actually approached Bournemouth. They asked if they had any players eligible and he obviously was. So that's how that came about. I think he's been with Wales since he was about nine years old." "He's been on loan the last couple of years but he's been very unlucky with injury the last year or so," he added when pressed on his brother's career. "He's had to have surgery on that and it's just taken a long time for him to return. "I think if that injury hadn't happened, he'd potentially be a lot further along in his career. But he's lucky to be at Bournemouth and they've really looked after him through that injury. I'm looking forward to him being back playing again and seeing how far he can go. Taylor's brother Owen has won five caps for Wales at under-21 level (Image: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda ) "But he basically sparked the idea that I could box for Wales. I could have gone down either route of England or Wales, but I did a trial with Wales and got on the development program and worked my way through to get on the full-time program. "I did that for three-and-a-half years leading up to the Commonwealth Games. That was something England didn't have, a full-time program. "That created loads of opportunities for me and I went to the Commonwealth Games and ended up wining a silver medal. Then came Team GB." Bevan joined the GB programme in January 2022, and it seemed inevitable that he would beat a path to the door of the Olympics. But when he narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2024 games in Paris, it brought his career to something of a crossroads. Taylor Bevan has so far won all three fights of his professional career (Image: Rob Browne ) In August 2024, he made the decision to drop out and go pro. "It was a difficult decision at the time," he says. "I put a lot thought into it. I had aspirations of going to the Olympics and that obviously didn't work out. "It was very hard to qualify this time around. It's very competitive at every weight category because they're taking some of the weight categories out. So 75kg wasn't there, so a lot of them moved up to 80, which is where I was. Then if you were 91, you're dropping down to 80. So it was very tough to qualify. "I did consider staying on for another four years for the LA Olympics. But I think at the age I'm at it's a good time to turn over. I always had aspirations to turn pro. I didn't wanna wait another four years and then feel like I was having to rush turning over and then rush my career. "Even if I did go to the Olympics, it would have put me in a better position to turn pro, but to be honest it wasn't something I always dreamed of as a kid. Since I've been boxing, I've watched pro boxing. "Obviously the Olympics is a massive achievement and I would've loved to have done it. But even if I'd stayed for those four years, there's no guarantee. Taylor Bevan knocks down Ales Makovec to win their contest on March 28, 2025 in Altrincham, England (Image: Mark Robinson/) "It's very hard to qualify for the Olympics and there's a lot of luck involved in amateur boxing. I put 100 per cent into it and it didn't always work out. "It was disappointing at the time not to qualify, but I don't feel disappointed any more." Nor should he be. After signing a deal with Hearn's promotion juggernaut Matchroom Boxing, he stepped into the ring for the first time as a pro at the end of November, seeing off Greg O'Neil with a second-round stoppage in Birmingham. His second fight in January saw him knockout Szymon Kajda, again after two rounds, before that viral uppercut dispatched Makovec in March 2025. Three wins and three knockouts isn't a bad way to announce yourself on the world stage, and there have already been suggestions he could potentially follow in the footsteps of another legendary Welsh super middleweight. "Joe Calzaghe's left some big shoes to fill," he says with a smile. Article continues below "I'd love to have a record like he has when I'm finished, but we'll wait and see. We'll take it one step at a time."
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Sam Warburton says 'Welsh rugby needs the Premiership' and poses million dollar question
Sam Warburton says 'Welsh rugby needs the Premiership' and poses million dollar question The former Wales captain admits he's envious of what's on offer across the Severn Bridge Warburton believes Welsh rugby 'needs the Premiership' (Image: Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images ) Wales legend Sam Warburton says Welsh rugby "needs the Premiership" after Bristol Bears and Bath played out an enthralling league derby at the Principality Stadium. The two English sides took their clash over the border on Saturday for the Bears' 'Big Day Out', their first attempt at hosting a Gallagher Premiership match at the home of Welsh rugby. There are hopes that it will become an annual occurrence and the event certainly got off to a promising start, with 51,095 fans piling into the stadium to watch Bristol run out as 36-14 winners. That attendance is in stark contrast to the number of supporters sat in the stadium for Judgement Day three weeks ago, with just 28,328 people coming to watch the four Welsh regions in action in the annual United Rugby Championship double-header. The contrasting interest in the two events has seen the idea of an Anglo-Welsh league explored again, with several senior figures in the game - including Bristol head coach Pat Lam - talking up the benefits of such a move. Up until recently, there had been talks of the Premiership and the URC merging with an Anglo-Welsh conference to be included in that competition, but they fell through. However, Warburton admits he is "envious" of what's on offer in England's top competition and believes that Welsh rugby needs to be a part of it to help the state of the game on this side of the border. Article continues below On punditry duty for TNT Sports for the Principality Stadium clash, the former Wales skipper said: 'It's lovely being a neutral (at the Principality) for a change, I can enjoy the rugby no matter what happens. 'When this game was announced a while ago I thought it was a really nice idea. Now it is justified, it seems there is going to be a minimum 50,000 here." 'I have been doing the Premiership all season," he added. "I can't help but envy every ground I go to, whether it is Kingsholm, even AJ Bell, great stadiums. Exeter, you do down there, Bath is always rocking, Bristol. 'I'm thinking personally Welsh rugby needs this, [it] needs the Premiership." However, Warburton went on to pose the million-dollar question, the answer to which will decide the fate of any potential future Anglo-Welsh league proposals. "The big question I guess, is whether the Premiership needs us," he added. "I don't know but I do feel that the Welsh, I look across the Bridge and look at what product you have got (in England) and what gates you get in, the jeopardy you have in the competition, Welsh rugby needs this.' It comes after Lam told WalesOnline's Welsh Rugby Podcast that he believes an Anglo-Welsh league "makes sense" for English clubs. "I'm probably neutral because I loved it when I was at Connacht playing against Cardiff, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons," the Bristol boss said. Article continues below "For us it makes sense if we've got 10 teams and there's four over there. I don't want to be controversial but I can see an Anglo-Welsh league would be huge as well. That's up for other people to decide but it's on the same island. "There's the history as well. People tell me back in the day Bristol used to play Cardiff in midweek and there used to be sellouts here and over there," he added. "One of the reasons is there's a close affinity between the Welsh and the Bristolians as well. I'm not the guy who decides all these things but if it ever went down to an Anglo-Welsh I could see it being successful."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as new Anglo-Welsh competition talks held and coach backs Lions bolter
Tonight's rugby news as new Anglo-Welsh competition talks held and coach backs Lions bolter The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond Scarlets full-back Blair Murray has been touted as a potential British and Irish Lions bolter. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Your rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, May 6. Peel backs Murray Lions talk Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has backed full-back Blair Murray for a shock place on the British and Irish Lions tour when the squad is announced on Thursday. Murray has been tipped as a possible bolter by a number of pundits now, with Peel admitting it would be some achievement for the New Zealand-born star after just one season in northern hemisphere rugby. The 23-year-old has played down his chances himself, but a superb Six Nations and strong recent performances at regional level mean he is in with a genuine shout when Andy Farrell reveals all. "He couldn't have done much more," said Peel. "He offers a bit of flexibility in terms of playing wing and full-back and he has played a bit at 10, although not that much for us there. Article continues below "Who knows what Andy and the coaches are thinking, but from my perspective it would be amazing. "He stood out in the Welsh team. He was really good in that full-back role and since he's been back, he's been beating men, and I thought he was good last week [in the win against Leinster]." Like the other Welsh teams, the Scarlets will be out in South Africa when the announcement is made ahead of matches against the Lions and Sharks. Peel added: "I'm sure we'll be glued to the TV when we get to Johannesburg," added Peel. "If he's fortunate enough to get in it will be brilliant for himself and also brilliant for us as close friends of his, and also the region." Anglo-Welsh Cup talks Welsh Rugby Union head of player development & performance pathways John Alder says talks are taking place with the RFU and Championship about a Tier 2 Anglo-Welsh Cup competition - although nothing will be in place before 2026/27. The WRU had previously intimated at the start of Super Rygbi Cymru, which replaced the Welsh Premiership, that cross-border matches with English clubs was on the agenda. Next season will seen England's Championship expanded to 14 teams, with reborn Worcester Warriors and National 1 champions Richmond joining the 12 existing teams. That will help offset the loss of cup fixtures, with the Championship not involved in the Premiership Cup from next season, as could any future Anglo-Welsh fixtures. 'Conversations are still ongoing with the RFU and the Championship clubs; they have picked up again, but obviously we missed a window for this season,' Alder said during a guest appearance on the Super Rugby Cymru podcast. 'What we do want to do next year is make the Cup as interesting and as exciting as possible.' Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Ireland star out for five weeks Ireland winger Mack Hansen is out for five weeks through injury. The 27-year-old will miss the remainder of Connacht's regular season in the United Rugby Championship, due to a five-week ankle injury lay-off. It's unlikely Connacht will make the URC play-offs, with the Irish province currently in 14th place, third from bottom, which means he's most likely played the last of his club season. The British and Irish Lions squad is being announced on Thursday, May 8, and Australia-born Hansen is hoping to make the cut, along with a plethora of his Ireland teammates. Hansen's injury shouldn't be a problem, with the first game against Argentina on June 20, which gives him plenty of time to recover from the injury. The winger's teammate Caelan Doris' hopes took a huge blow on Monday after Leinster announced he needs a shoulder operation. Saints signing aiming for England call By PA Sport Staff Callum Chick revealed his ambition to play for England again is behind his decision to move from Newcastle to Northampton at the end of the season. The back rower, who won England caps against the United States and Canada in 2021 and played against the Barbarians the following year, will end a 16-year association with his boyhood club this summer. The 28-year-old has made more than 150 senior appearances and has started in all 15 of Newcastle's Premiership Rugby games this season, but the number eight says he is ready for a fresh challenge. 'I feel the time is right for me to move on,' said Chick, Newcastle's club captain. 'I have aspirations to get more England caps, and in order to do that I feel like I have to experience something new. Article continues below 'Northampton feels like a perfect move for me. I enjoy the brand of rugby, and they have some great coaches and players. 'Moving was a no-brainer and Northampton being that choice was an easy decision. I think that I will fit in well and I am excited to get started. 'The standard at Northampton across the board is great, but in particular the back row has got some fantastic players. 'I am looking forward to learning from them and putting that into my game. Competition for positions brings the best out of everyone, and, for myself, that is something I am looking forward to.'
