The WRU and the RFU have both responded to our report Welsh clubs could be set to join the Gallagher Prem

Both the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Rugby Football Union (RFU) have issued statements in response to WalesOnline’s exclusive story revealing that Welsh clubs could join the Gallagher Premiership.

High-ranking figures in Wales have been in discussions with senior representatives from the RFU and Premiership Rugby (PRL) for several months over the prospect of two Welsh sides joining the English top flight as it expands from 10 to 12 teams.

A tender process is expected to begin next month, with clubs from the English Championship likely to account for a significant proportion of applications. However, there is also expected to be formal interest from Wales as discussions over potential entry into the competition continue.

Such a move will blow Welsh rugby' future wide open, with the possibility of four teams still existing in some form now potentially on the table, although only two would play in the Prem. Whether two could remain in the URC or move into the English Championship remains to be seen, while it is still possible Welsh rugby could end up with just two pro teams in the longer term.

What hasn't changed is the WRU's public stance that four fully-funded teams are no longer viable given the state of the game's finances .You can read the full details here.

For now, the governing bodies are remaining tight-lipped.

"Welsh men's professional teams compete in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is committed to providing four teams to the URC until the end of the 2027/28 season," read a WRU statement.

"By the end of this season, the WRU will have determined the future operating model for the men's game in Wales. The WRU will continue to work with other shareholders in the URC on future Welsh representation in the competition.

"The WRU keeps under review the competition opportunities which may be available across the game and could be in the best interests of Welsh rugby.

"The idea of Anglo-Welsh competitions is something that is often debated by Welsh rugby fans.

"The WRU understands the appeal of the English top-flight, which is why we are pitching for two of our women's teams, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, to be included in Premiership Women's Rugby."

If Welsh clubs were to join the Prem it would need the approval of both the WRU and the RFU.

If the Prem is to expand, every single PRL club has to vote in favour of the expansion but when it comes to which clubs are added, it only needs a majority.

There could be significant opposition from Championship clubs, but adding two Welsh clubs would offer Premiership Rugby the opportunity for non-dilutive growth, increasing the competition's size without introducing another team into an existing English market.

Welsh clubs would not get central funding from the RFU unlike other English clubs, while they are also keen on the Welsh TV contract.

"PREM Rugby and the RFU are committed to expanding the English top-flight, with a provisional target season to grow to 12 teams by 2030," read a joint statement from the RFU and PRL.

"The PREM is an attractive league and responsibility for its expansion sits with the Men's Professional Rugby Board (MPRB), which has established detailed entry criteria that any prospective club would need to satisfy.

"Resources are currently focused on supporting English clubs throughout the pyramid who aspire to join the league.”