THE WELSH RUGBY UNION will invite bids from its professional clubs and selected universities to tender to play a pivotal role in the continued professionalisation of the Women’s game in Wales, by providing teams to play in the Celtic Challenge next season.
This exciting and key development for Welsh rugby recognises that women’s rugby is the fastest growth area of the game, with the 2025 Rugby World Cup set to be a ‘generational’ moment for the sport.
The WRU is offering the Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff Rugby and Dragons RFC the chance of a stake in women’s rugby ahead of what promises to be the biggest World Cup in the history of the Women’s game.
The ambition is that the successful tenders will demonstrate a link with a major university with a track record in the women’s game.
Two new sides will replace Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning in the cross-border league, which features two teams from Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
The Celtic Challenge is the fastest growing Championship in the Women’s game in Europe and offers all three nations a vital competition to bridge the gap to Test match rugby.
The professional clubs will be asked to bid for a ‘Celtic Challenge Licence’ and split the funding for the two teams for the next three years until 2028, with Welsh Universities also welcomed into the process.
The cost of each team will be match-funded by the WRU, with each club’s operating cost expected to be £200K a season.
The WRU will appoint the Head Coaches for each of the two new teams as part of the ‘Celtic Challenge Licence’, and the successful bids will meet the operating standards set by the tournament organisers.
The two successful tenders will provide key support around players, staff, medical provision, match day and training facilities, and marketing and commercial opportunities and demonstrate a commitment to the game in Wales.
The Scarlets hosted Brython Thunder at Parc y Scarlets for the last two seasons of the competition, while Gwalia Lightning played at Cardiff Arms Park and Rodney Parade in their first season and at Ystrad Mynach last season.
The successful tenders will provide a viable and sustainable rugby and business proposal and make a commitment to support the WRU’s One Wales strategy to underpin Women’s and Girls’ rugby in Wales.
The deadline for an expression of interest is Friday, May 2nd, and the WRU will announce the two successful bids to provide clubs to represent Wales in the Celtic Challenge in July 2025.
Belinda Moore, WRU Head of Women’s and Girls Rugby said: “This is a hugely significant and exciting moment for Women’s rugby in Wales. It underlines the WRU’s commitment to grow the game at home, and we look forward to having discussions with the professional clubs in Wales and our educational establishments.
“The initial discussions that have taken place have recognised that this is a unique and exciting opportunity for Welsh rugby.
“The women’s game is rugby’s fastest growth area, and we have seen that with the crowds across the nations in this W6N campaign. Wales set a record with a 21,186 crowd against England, and that demonstrated the potential ahead of us.
“Offering this opportunity to our professional clubs means they can play a key role in a sustainable, rapidly growing and marketable area of the game and support young players in Wales who want to be a part of their history.
“From my personal experience across the border, the English clubs have recognised the value and commercial opportunities available in Women’s rugby.
“This will not be easy, and we expect to have detailed discussions around what support the WRU will provide and to scrutinise what the clubs who apply will offer the next generation of players in Wales.
“Wales has played a key role in the success of the PWR Clubs, think of Wales captain Hannah Jones, Wales vice-captains Keira Bevan and Alex Callender, and what they have achieved across the border.
“Maisie Davies, Alaw Pyrs and Jenni Scoble, along with experienced Welsh internationals, like Natalia John and Kerin Lake, all played Celtic Challenge rugby and are part of the W6N squad.
“Cardiff Met’s recent fantastic success beating Loughborough and being crowned Women’s BUCS Super Rugby champions, included ten players who played in the Celtic Challenge last season.
“It underlines that Wales produces rugby talent, and we just need to provide that talent with the opportunity and a stage to develop and flourish.”
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