Premiership chief addresses URC merger reports as they plan ‘10 years ahead’

Colin Newboult
Leinster taking on Northampton Saints in 2024.

What could be a regular fixture if a B&I league was created as Northampton take on Leinster.

Premiership chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor has appeared to pour cold water on a potential merger with the United Rugby Championship (URC).

In September, it was reported that England’s top-flight were looking to combine with the URC, believing that it could be a way of increasing the value of broadcast deals.

The URC immediately released a statement rejecting those claims and stating that they were “not engaged in discussions.”

Talk has not gone away, however, and WalesOnline recently reported that the respective bigwigs were ‘seriously considering’ bringing the leagues together and creating two divisions which includes promotion and relegation.

But Massie-Taylor insists that they are happy with the current Premiership structure and, while he has not completely ruled out the idea, it appears unlikely for now.

Several factors to consider

“You need to think not just four years ahead, but 10 years ahead,” he said.

“You ask all the questions around European competitions and you’ve got to keep a long-term open mind about how things will pan out.

“We’re really proud of the Premiership. We think it’s on a really good trajectory and the numbers prove that with the interest around it.

“If you were ever to change things, the benchmark is massively high and it should be.

“You look at all sorts of options but the obvious thing to say about a British and Irish league is what happens to the rest of URC? Because they’ve shareholders there and they’d all need to agree to do something different.

“When you look at the relative economics of things it’s quite hard to make it work for all stakeholders.

“I do think we’re in a very strong position. It’s difficult to see how you take an expansive approach without compromising elsewhere in the system.”

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An Anglo-Welsh league has also been suggested, including the possibility of the regions joining the second-tier Championship, but that has been ruled out.

“We’re in a really strong position in the Premiership so even to have the conversation the bar has to be so high,” Premiership director of rugby Phil Winstanley said.

CVC’s influence

Private equity firm CVC have invested in both the Premiership and the PRO14 – before it became the URC – and it was hoped that it would take the game to greater heights.

However, the pandemic brought about financial issues for all clubs and countries, with the money used to stave off that threat.

“CVC has a share hold in both. It’s not a vote on either/or when it comes to decisions like this,” Massie-Taylor added.

“As is their style, they’ve been very collaborative and encouraging of long-term thinking. This isn’t a mandate from them to come up with a solution.

“They realise the complexity. The Anglo-Welsh they would care about because they’ve got an investment in URC.”

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