Welsh rugby’s new deal has hit another bump in the road
The Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets have yet to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement despite Welsh Rugby Union chair Richard Collier-Keywood setting a deadline of Tuesday night.
In an email, the WRU chair had asked the three clubs to ensure they had confirmed their intention to sign the new deal by “close of play” on Tuesday – with Collier-Keywood stressing the need to be able to move into next season with “certainty”. However, that deadline has passed without any deal being signed.
WalesOnline has learnt the Professional Rugby Board will meet today to continue negotiations over the new PRA but talks are likely to continue for some time yet.
All four of Wales’ professional clubs had agreed on terms on a new PRA in February but the WRU’s takeover of Cardiff Rugby has put a spanner in the works.
Last week, the Arms Park club were placed into administration temporarily by their directors, with the Union completing the takeover of the clubs hours later.
That came after club owners Helford Capital failed to fulfil their contractual obligations in terms of funding – forcing the hand of the WRU.
Despite WRU CEO Abi Tierney insisting the governing body’s ownership of Cardiff would not affect the new PRA getting over the line, the other three clubs have concerns. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Part of those concerns are that, if the new PRA is signed, the WRU could potentially call in the two-year notice period which allows the governing body to cut the number of professional sides in Wales.
However, the WRU have remained adamant that they are committed to four teams.
The current PRA expires at the end of the 2025/26 season but the WRU are desperate to get the new version over the line that would result in a financial upswing.
The new version would see the salary cap rise to £6.9m by financial year 2029 and the governing body transfer the debt from the Covid loans onto its own balance sheet.
Collier-Keywood insists the situation is “urgent” because the union want to move forward with certainty and stability.
The WRU view the new PRA as a vital component of its new One Wales strategy which aims to drag Welsh rugby back out of the doldrums.
No information has been offered publicly yet about what will happen next after the WRU deadline passed, but it’s understood negotiations will continue for some time
There is a meeting scheduled to take place later today (Wednesday) between the WRU and four professional sides.
