Trodding down a well-worn path, the biennial question of whether English Rugby’s Premiership clubs should link arms with their Celtic brethren in the not-so-distant future has emerged again this week.
First reported in the Telegraph yesterday, the news of a United Rugby Championship and Premiership merger has been muted on multiple occasions over the years.
Now, once again becoming a discussion point a week out from the kick-off of both leagues, the question of who a merger would benefit more is an interesting one.
Despite getting set to enter its fourth season in its current guise with teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa involved, a reported merger between the URC and Premiership would mean a drastic overhaul for the multinational league.
Per the Telegraph’s report, “The Premiership board is currently undertaking a strategic review to explore ways of increasing the value of future broadcasting deals ahead of going to market early next year for a new broadcasting deal for the start of the 2026 season, having signed a two-year deal with TNT earlier this year.
“It is understood that the preference of the Premiership clubs, after a board meeting in London on Thursday morning, is to further explore the possibility of creating a British and Irish league, without the South African and Italian clubs part of the merger.”
This point of excluding South Africa and the Italian sides presents a problem for both nations and for the validity of the Investec Champions Cup.
The fact that all three finals in URC history have taken place in South Africa to date clearly reflects the strength the teams bring to the league. While the Italians have yet to make a final appearance, Benetton has taken significant strides over the three years and was featured in last season’s quarterfinals.
Considering this, as well as the challenges that Super Rugby has faced in recent seasons, the obvious prospect of a return to the Southern Hemisphere’s former natural order has emerged.
Fans from different URC nations airing their views online offered an interesting insight into the mood surrounding such a move.
They’re bloody stupid to consider dumping SA. The SA sides have raised the bar and attendance figures, which naturally results in increased revenue.
Guess SA could always return to Super Rugby
— Malcolm Molver (@MMolver86) September 13, 2024
Does the URC have a say in this?
— QWERTY3615🇿🇦 (@saffainsaffa) September 13, 2024
The Premiership is being outshined by the URC. They would have never joined the Pro14 if it was not for the popularity that it holds now. And now they want to exclude the reason why the URC is the URC!
— Hadley Petersen (@Hippo501) September 13, 2024
I can sense jealousy now from the Northern Hemisphere but New Zealand and Australia made it clear that they miss us in the Super Rugby, so if the Northern Hemisphere don’t want us we might as well get back to Super Rugby, I miss watching those Friday/Saturday morning games🤞🤞
— $azi Mzimela🇿🇦❤️💚🖤 (@sazisomzet) September 13, 2024
Premiership merging with URC makes little sense to any fan. URC is tops as it is, a few kinks to sort out but still better than this. If Wales want to join England, let them go, but for other teams it would be insane to dillute a good product.
Champs Cup would be less relevant— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) September 13, 2024
No thanks we like the URC as it is. Plus we have listened to English rugby pundits talking it down while it quietly became an absolutely brilliant competition
— Maximus Decimus Meridius (@kanyesouth13) September 12, 2024
Premiership needs someone else to save them. It’s a glorious thing to see.
— TheDuke🏴☠️🇿🇦 (@duke_ofthe) September 13, 2024
URC is new and still growing. Only going into its 4th season change again makes no sense
— Donncha (@denismu30264881) September 12, 2024
Why would the URC want to take on the basket case that is English pro-rugby while letting the foxes that are PRL into the hen house? They’ve already proven themselves to be dishonest brokers.
— Formerly LAS Rugby (@LAS_Rugby) September 13, 2024
Fuck this. Don’t let the English clubs i- they mismanaged their own league, see the URC is thriving, and want to commandeer. They’d not have offered such a merger when they thought they were in rude health. When in, they throw around their weight.
— Aindriú R (@AindriuR_1) September 12, 2024
No thanks. The URC works well for Ireland & Scotland. Unnecessary to screw the saffas & Italians over when it’s a model that works for those 4 parties. Let the Welsh join the English league as I’m sure that’ll benefit both parties
— Anton Patrick (@anton941111) September 13, 2024
@edjenx Prem only wants the Welsh if you bring your hot Irish friends along 😂😂😂
— Andrew (@cabragiant) September 12, 2024
What have you made of this discussion? Should it be a talking point or is it a non-starter? Let us know in the comments below or on social media.
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