URC considers shock US expansion as it waits on WRU decision over cutting teams
URC considers shock US expansion as it waits on WRU decision over cutting teams
The URC is considering further expansion
The United Rugby Championship could look very different in the future
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd )
The United Rugby Championship is considering expanding into the US, with Chicago and Miami potential destinations for two new franchises, WalesOnline has learnt.
There is a big push to improve rugby in the US given the fact they are hosting the World Cup in 2031, and the URC could include two American sides in the future. The URC is no stranger to expansion having initially started as a Celtic league before inviting Italian and South African teams into the competition.
Georgian outfit Black Lion have also been in negotiations with the URC but the US route is being seriously considered. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Were the URC to allow two US sides into the competition there would have to be a significant financial uplift to its current shareholders, while the cost of travel and player welfare would also have to be taken into consideration.
News of the US interest comes as the URC are engaged in ongoing talks with the WRU over how many Welsh teams will participate in the competition going forward. The union is strongly considering cutting down to three or even two professional clubs after serving notice on the current status quo of four equally funded sides.
If the WRU does decide to cut teams, a potential expansion into the US could be more attractive to the current URC shareholders. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
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While the quality of the sides competing in the URC cannot be questioned it is often criticised for its excessive travelling, especially since the introduction of teams from South Africa.
There is already a professional league in the US called Major League Rugby which was only founded in 2017 with 11 teams in total but it is nowhere near the level required if the US are to compete with tier one nations.
'As the URC, we have always had expansion in DNA," said URC CEO Martin Anayi in a press conference last week.
"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. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
'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.
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'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."
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