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Welsh regions want to join Aviva Premiership

Welsh regions eye English Premiership link
© PA Photos
Struggling Welsh regions are looking to develop an Anglo-Welsh competition.

Wales's four rugby regions have held fresh talks with English clubs over the possibility of joining the Aviva Premiership.

The Scarlets, Ospreys, Blues and Dragons are currently tied into agreements to play in the Pro12 league alongside clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Italy, but a new cross-border competition is seen as part of a plan to end the regions' financial plight.

Representative Stuart Gallacher confirmed the talks but warned that "there are massive hurdles to climb".

"Whether we could ever join the English Aviva Premiership is probably a step too far. I'm not saying that I wouldn't welcome it... it's a product you can get some revenue out of," he told BBC Radio Wales.

Those hurdles would include winning the approval of the Welsh Rugby Union, its English counterpart the Rugby Football Union, and the International Rugby Board.

The clubs in English rugby's top flight and the second-tier Championship would also have to be won over.

The four Welsh regions have faced financial difficulties amid struggles to attract sufficient crowds to games, and igniting the Anglo-Welsh rivalry may be a way to combat the problem.

That has led to the imposition of a £3.5m salary cap per region per season, which has been cited as a reason for some of Welsh rugby's biggest names opting to leave and play in France and England.

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Dan Lydiate
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