English rugby exploring request for Welsh teams to join Prem, says RFU

The Rugby Football Union says it is considering allowing Welsh teams to join England’s Prem after receiving a formal approach. The Prem is due to expand from 10 teams to 12 in 2029, with those added to the league hand-picked according to commercial appeal rather than promoted via on-field results. Welsh rugby is in flux, with its four regional teams set to be reduced to three and uncertainty over their future in the cross-border United Rugby Championship. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said Prem expansion was conceived for English teams but did not rule out accepting the request from the Welsh Rugby Union. We have received a formal approach. We asked for that and we wanted it in writing. We wanted to understand a few points and that has been submitted to us,” Sweeney told the BBC. Our primary focus is on the expansion of the English game. We have had some developments there recently with no longer having an automatic promotion or relegation but having an expansion ga