WRU to express interest over team in PWR

The Welsh Rugby Union aims to take the first step towards entering a team in England's top-flight women's club competition.

Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) has opened an 'expressions of interest' process as it considers expanding the nine-team competition.

Welsh regions Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning currently compete in the Celtic Challenge alongside clubs from Ireland and Scotland.

But joining the most lucrative and competitive domestic league in Europe is an ambition.

Some 28 of Sean Lynn's 38-strong Six Nations squad play in the PWR.

"As soon as I saw it come out, it's very exciting," said Lynn, who won three league titles with Gloucester-Hartpury before taking the Wales job last year.

"We'll definitely put our expression of interest into it and see where we go from there."

Clubs from across the UK and Ireland have until 30 April to submit their interest.

The WRU has already promised a radical shake-up of the women's game in Wales with a particular focus on halting the flow of playing talent heading to England.

This includes a national academy, player development centres and extra funding for Thunder and Lightning who have had access to some of those Wales internationals based in England.

But having that number of players based outside of Wales has proved an issue for national coaches and with many players not getting regular game time.

"Many of our best players head east to England," said WRU chair of the women's committee Amanda Bennett previously.

"There's an argument that it is a benefit for them to be training next to world champions but that creates issues over access for the Wales national coaches while too many of those players are not playing.

"We have seen in WXV tournaments and the last World Cup that many of our players were not physically or psychology prepared."

Wales have 11 players based at current PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury, including national captain Kate Williams who said the opportunity was an "exciting prospect".

"It hasn't seemed like it's been an option before but it could be an option in the future," she said.

There has also been a lack of a high standard domestic rugby in Wales.

The Celtic Challenge is looking to address that, with Thunder and Lightning both reaching this year's semi-finals, and while the competition is in its infancy, Lynn says it still has a purpose.

"I do still strongly believe the Celtic Challenge will get there with the investment from Ireland and Scotland, but if we've got an opportunity to put a side in the PWR, we'll be looking to show our interest," he said.

Leicester and Trailfinders were the last clubs to join the PWR in 2023.