Former Wales and Cardiff centre, Tom Shanklin, has articulated his apprehensions regarding the financial stability of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the current status of the four Welsh teams competing in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Shanklin, an esteemed figure in Welsh rugby with 70 international caps, is of the opinion that the WRU lacks the financial capacity to sustain four teams in the URC. These concerns have arisen in response to what he perceives as a “disastrous” 2022/23 season for Welsh rugby.
The financial adversities encountered by Welsh rugby in recent years have manifested in the underperformance of the Welsh regions in the URC. All four Welsh teams – Cardiff, Scarlets, Dragons, and Ospreys – currently find themselves placed in the lower half of the URC standings. Despite a more promising showing from the Ospreys, Shanklin has underscored the formidable obstacles confronting the teams, notably the reduction in their budget from £5.2m to £4.5m.
In light of these challenges, Shanklin has tabled a radical proposal – diminishing the number of Welsh teams in the URC and amalgamating key players into only two teams. His vision entails a restructuring that would involve the introduction of an Elite Domestic Competition (EDC) in Wales, intended as a developmental league comprising 10 teams, in addition to two Welsh teams in the URC. According to Shanklin, this realignment would concentrate talent and resources to bolster the competitiveness and sustainability of Welsh rugby.
While Shanklin’s proposition may appear unconventional, it reflects the urgency of addressing the financial constraints and performance issues confronting Welsh rugby. The notion of reconfiguring the Welsh teams in the URC or exploring alternative avenues has been a topic of deliberation. Shanklin acknowledges that alternative ideas, such as merging two of the regions or even reducing the number of teams, have been contemplated previously. However, he stresses that the current structure of the WRU poses impediments to these alternative approaches.
Looking ahead, Shanklin cautions that the predicament is poised to exacerbate in the ensuing year due to player departures and financial constraints. His advocacy for change emanates from a desire to witness Welsh rugby attain greater competitiveness and sustainability in the long term. By consolidating talent and resources into two teams in the URC and two teams in the EDC, Shanklin is of the view that Welsh rugby can chart a more promising trajectory for the future.
As discussions pertaining to the future of Welsh rugby persist, Shanklin’s proposal prompts significant considerations regarding the financial viability and strategic trajectory of the Welsh teams in the URC. While his propositions may elicit varying viewpoints, they underscore the necessity for innovative solutions to address the persistent challenges confronting Welsh rugby. As stakeholders within the Welsh rugby community deliberate the way forward, the dialogue initiated by Shanklin acts as a catalyst for reimagining the landscape of Welsh rugby.