The verdict on Welsh rugby's controversial new competition as WRU resurrect talks with English
Super Rygbi Cymru has been a success in its first season, according to the WRU's John Alder
Ebbw Vale and Newport will compete to be Super Rygbi champions
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
The Welsh Rugby Union's head of player development John Alder is confident Super Rygbi Cymru will get stronger over the next few seasons and provide the perfect platform for Wales' future internationals to progress.
Ebbw Vale will host Newport on Sunday in the first ever final of the SRC at Eugene Cross Park. When WRU first mooted the idea of creating a competition above the Welsh Premiership it was initially met with scepticism, with famous clubs like Neath, Pontypridd and Merthyr, left out or choosing not to take part amid criticism of the concept.
But the WRU wanted to bridge the gap between the United Rugby Championship and the semi-professional game with a competition more aligned with the pathway. And Alder is confident the SRC has begun to do that.
"The ambition at the start was to align with our pathway, create a competition which aligns with our pro clubs and give opportunities to up and coming players while also creating an exciting domestic product for players to play in and fans to watch," Alder told WalesOnline.
"We haven't lost any of that historic club based element but we wanted to reset it so that it works more effectively and is integrated with the pro game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"We will do a review when the grand final is completed on Sunday but we looked at the Wales U20s cohort going into the Six Nations and of the Wales-based players we have 87% of our U20s feature in the SRC.
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"The remaining 13% were playing in Bucs Super Rugby. We also recognise that plays an important part too, albeit a smaller part.
"When we looked at players who were based outside of Wales our Welsh-based age grade players are playing at a higher standard than their counterparts in England.
"Specifically, we looked at the match day 23. We had 75% more starting appearances and an increase of 70% in match minutes compared to 2024 who would have been playing Welsh Premiership.
"For me this is a good sign of progress."
Welsh rugby is going through a tough time at senior international level but there are some green shoots emerging from the pathway.
Wales U20s beat world U20s champions England in the Six Nations while the U18s won every game in the recent U18s Six Nations Festival in France.
The quality of players coming through the pathway is considered to be better than it has been for a number of years and Alder is confident the SRC is the right competition to develop Wales' best young talent.
"We have some tremendous talent coming through our age-grade teams and I'm confident the SRC is the right platform for them to develop," he said.
"Anyone who has watched the league this season would have seen subtle changes in playing style, longer ball in play than previous iterations of the comp. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"We've had longer cycle lengths which are all moving closer to the pro game.
"Starting with it was the hardest part and now it is a case of working with the coaches, the regional academies to move the dial on style and the standard of play.
"Our goal wasn't to create an age grade league but a mixture of young talent and more senior experienced players. Getting that sweet spot right will always be a challenge.
"If we take Macs Page as an example - I'm aware he's kicked on now - but he was playing centre alongside a former seasoned pro like Adam Warren.
"That's an example of great mentorship. We've seen pockets of that across the league but would we like to see more? Definitely."
The WRU are also working hard to put in place an Anglo-Welsh Cup competition between the SRC clubs and teams in the English Championship.
"That was the strong ambition from the outset looking at the season structure and asking ourselves how do we create a vibrant competition for fans but equally a good challenge for our players," he said.
"I've had really good conversations with the RFU and our championship clubs in the build up to Christmas and were really hopeful it would take off next season.
"But the brakes have been put on that by our friends across the bridge due to their political dynamics.
"It was definitely a hard no for next season. We have since picked back up the conversations.
"Granted there's a lot changing across the bridge but we are continuing to have conversations which are really positive.
"We aren't in a position to get too excited just yet but we are definitely grasping that nettle to try and make that happen."
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Alder has also been pleased with the crowds in the SRC while he maintains the viewing figures have been satisfactory. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
The WRU view this inaugural season as the first step in creating a strong competition which can produce more and better players for the professional game.
"Part of that strategy is if we can produce more and better players we can drive standards up to ensure our professional clubs are more competitive," Alder added.
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