New Elite Domestic Competition For Welsh Rugby

After thorough consultation throughout the game in Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced plans for a new, semi-professional Elite Domestic Competition (“EDC”) to sit below the regional game.

Approval has been granted by the Indigo Premiership clubs, Community Game Board, Rugby Management Board, Professional Rugby Board and the WRU Board of Directors to start the competition in season 2024-25.

The new competition will sit outside of the WRU’s Admiral National League structure and will create a new development ground for the next generation of professional players in Wales.

Clubs interested in participating in the EDC will be able to express their interest in joining to the WRU in September with the application process to be concluded by the end of 2023.

All applications will be assessed against set criteria by a review panel comprising one WRU representative and two independent panel members (to be appointed).

Further information on the specific application process and criteria will be issued to interested clubs in due course.

“The new EDC competition model we have designed is best suited for between eight to 10 clubs and will adopt a ‘licencing approach’,” explained WRU community rugby director, Geraint John.

“Our ambition is that there will be a maximum of 10 teams participating from the 2024/2025 season, subject to those clubs fulfilling and maintaining specific licence criteria on an annual basis.

“Having an appropriate geographical spread of clubs participating will also be paramount to promoting and ensuring a connected performance pathway throughout all areas of Wales.

“Using this principle, if 10 clubs participate in the 2024/2025 season, licences will be granted to the two highest scoring clubs who meet relevant criteria located within each of the Cardiff Rugby, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets regions.

“In addition a licence to participate will also be awarded to RGC as a representative of the North Wales region.

“North Wales is strategically important for the WRU, which is why RGC will be one of the clubs participating in the EDC.

“Any remaining places, subject criteria being met, will be allocated to the clubs that has achieved the highest scores from the points-based criteria selection process.

“The EDC will be ring fenced for three years, subject to participation criteria being continually met, and the season structure will be aligned with the professional game, with performance development and with academy and international calendars.

“This competition will sit in the Performance Development Phase of the new player pathway with the goal being to improve the quality and intensity of the rugby our highest potential players have regular access to, while capitalising on our long standing history and heritage of club rugby.

“By investing in this new, performance-focused semi-professional competition we aim to create an exciting product for players, fans, and clubs to be part of while at the same time giving players a better playing environment in which to be challenged, learn, and develop, so that they can achieve their potential.”

The 2023-24 campaign which kicks-off on 2 September will see 13 teams play in the Indigo Premiership. The Admiral Championship has been split into two divisions of 12 clubs, East and West, while the remainder of the Admiral National League system remains the same.

The corresponding proposal for 2024-25 is to create a 13 team Community Premiership at the top end of the Community Game.

“This is a hugely significant step forward for the game in Wales. There has been widespread debate over the past decade on what is the best way to bridge the gap between regional rugby and the academy players,” added John.

“The Premiership has changed shape and size season in, season out and we have feedback from  throughout Welsh rugby showing we need to work harder on the connection between our regions and the clubs participating in the Premiership.

“We believe that the new EDC will complete the pathway from schools, and club rugby, academies and into the world of professional rugby.

“The primary purpose of the new competition is to provide a vehicle to accelerate the development of our highest potential players. To achieve that purpose, it is critical that the clubs and regions maintain and develop a close working relationship.

“Our aim is to raise the standard of the competition by reducing the number of teams and ensuring clubs achieve and maintain specific standards in rugby provision, facilities, and their environment.”

The 2024-25 season will also see all divisions in the Admiral National League structure below the Championship East and West reduced from 12 to 10 teams. This step is being taken following the findings of an extensive player survey undertaken in 2021, consultation with clubs and a thorough competitions review in 2022.

The 2023-24 season will also see a major change below Indigo Premiership level with the introduction of a new tackle height law requiring players to tackle below the sternum. The WRU has conducted workshops, created on-line coaching tools and held district meetings to prepare the ground for this key change, which will also apply to all schools and age-grade rugby across the country.

Geraint John added: “The Admiral men’s and women’s leagues are vitally important, and we have made informed changes following open and honest discussions with players, club officials and volunteers alike.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances over the past two seasons a number of games have had to be re-arranged to be played at the end of the normal season which has caused extension and a number of games in a small space of time which is not desirable from a player welfare perspective. We should allow capacity for re-arrangements to be played on Saturdays to help supporters and club revenues.

“Following our discussions, the gathered insight and information we have concluded that the suitable number of participating teams at the top end of the Admiral Leagues is 12 teams, with the number reducing to 10 lower down the pyramid.

“We believe this will help clubs complete fixtures and it will also allow districts and local cup games to be completed.

“We are considering sanctioning matches throughout November and during the Six Nations so that we again can spread the games out throughout the year.

“We do not want an 11-month season (July to end of May). We must shorten the season.”

OTHER CHANGES

Electronic Team Sheets
All club will be required to enter team sheets electronically prior to all kick offs.

Concussion Protocol
It is mandatory for all players to be stood down for 21 days should they suffer a concussion as per guidelines from UK Government.

Permits for Players
The permit regulations have changed. Teams lower down the playing pyramid are now able to seek permits for players from higher Divisions than in the 23-24 season.

Replacement Amendments
Should teams have three suitably trained and experienced front row players starting the match to allow the game to begin with contested scrums, they will be allowed up to five replacements. Whilst it is recommended that there are five suitable trained and experienced players who can play named within the squad, it is no longer a requirement.
Should a team start with passive scrums, they will still be required to start with 14 players. However, they will be allowed to name up to five replacements.
Should a game start with or go to passive scrums, then the team causing the match to go to passive scrums will still be required to play with 14 players.

Amendments within the Women’s game
– Senior Women’s handbook replaced by a formalised Rules and Regulation document
– The permit system has been tightened to increase fairness, Permit players must start on the bench if a side has 15 players from its own club
– The introduction of new regulations around sides electing to go to passive at scrums before/during the game
– The ability to match numbers if playing below 15 a side remains.