American teams could replace axed Welsh regions in revamped URC
Telegraph Sport has been told there is 'big money on the table' to expand the competition to six nations amid an imminent announcement about its future in Wales.
In the next 24 hours, the crisis-plagued Welsh Rugby Union is expected to present a plan that could cut its number of URC clubs from four to two.
They could eventually be replaced by two teams based on the east coast of the United States, with the URC looking to exploit the Rugby World Cup in the country in 2031.
Sources have told Telegraph Sport that expansion into the US would not be dependent on the loss of two Welsh clubs from the 16-team competition, although discussions remain at an early stage.
According to those with knowledge of the talks, the URC would instead weigh up how competitive those teams would be, as well as logistical and travel issues. That would currently rule out sides from Major League Rugby, who would not be able to hold their own against those in the URC.
The URC is also said to be exploring alternative options to set up linked divisions in Europe and Africa, feeding into the league – with the aim of driving growth in the global game for the 2031 World Cup and beyond.
Telegraph Sport has contacted the URC for comment.
Speaking in June, URC chief executive Martin Anayi said: 'As the URC, we have always had expansion in DNA. We have been the Celtic League, and we moved, and we have tried to grow each time. And we have done that.
'I think we have genuinely made it a better league. I think it is important that we continue to look outwards. But also, the bar is very high because, for every game you add, there is a player welfare issue to engage with. And that is something you have to make sure you aren't compromising.
'You have logistics, especially when we are transcontinental, and then you have the sporting element, and we want it to be as competitive as ever. So I would never say never, but I think the bar is very high to do that.
'We play less rugby with the URC model and format. We don't have home and away games in every match. And it also allows us to not play across international weekends.
'We have almost 320 internationals playing in the league, which is almost double what you have in the Premiership or Super Rugby.
'If we do expand in the future, it has to be in the right way, and we don't fall into the traps of those who have done it in the past, and it hasn't been successful.'
Any axing of Welsh clubs would not be for this season, with a WRU announcement set to be followed by a six-week consultation period with stakeholders.
Cardiff, owned and run by the union after being plunged into administration earlier this year, look set to be spared from any cull.
However, Scarlets, Ospreys and Dragons are all reportedly resisting mergers that would result in one team in the east and one in the west.
The URC last expanded in 2021 when four South African franchises joined the competition, which previously featured teams from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Italy.
Telegraph Sport revealed last year that Premiership clubs had discussed a proposal for a merger with the URC – minus teams from South Africa and Italy.
The URC later appeared to pour cold water on the idea by announcing it was 'committed' to the pace of growth it said it had enjoyed under its existing five-nation format.
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