London Welsh and London Scottish could quit English rugby in the near future and join up with the Guinness PRO12. According to a report in the Standard Sport, both the Welsh and Scottish Exiles have held “informal” discussions over the possibility of switching leagues.
The clubs are members of the Welsh and Scottish rugby unions respectively, as well as the RFU, but there would be many hurdles to jump before an agreement could be reached, with ratification required from all three governing bodies.
It is an attractive proposition for the PRO12, which currently combines teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, who would open up links with the city of London. Scottish are currently embroiled in a Championship play-off battle with Worcester, although they cannot be promoted due to their home ground not meeting the minimum Premiership criteria.
Ironically, the only offer of a reprieve for London Welsh, who face relegation after losing all 20 of their Premiership games this season, would be if their Scottish counterparts won the play-offs and could not claim their promotion.
Welsh’s head coach, Rowland Phillips, has insisted that talk of a potential move to the PRO12 is not distracting his squad: “Talk about the PRO12 isn’t a distraction and all I can say is that it’s an interesting thought but just speculation at the moment.”
Welsh have announced a raft of new signings in recent weeks, as they look to bounce straight back up to the Premiership.
“The key focus for us is an immediate return to the Premiership from what is a very tough Championship. We are signing new guys but have also retained players because you don’t want to lose the essence of what we are about as a squad.
“Playing Northampton away and then Saracens at home in the final game would be a big ask for anyone in the Premiership but we are used to this kind of challenge. I don’t know how the players have been fronting up every week after some heavy defeats and it gives you hope that we have a group who are ambitious. That helped with my decision to accept the role of head coach.
“We won’t bow down and get flogged in these last two games — we will continue to fight and show pride.”
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
4 replies on “London Welsh and London Scottish to quit English rugby?”
Ah. It’s like a Somerset side switching to the Gloucester leagues. Stop looking for excuses, first money, now this…
“…We are signing new guys but have also retained players because you don’t want to lose the essence of what we are about as a squad…” My Ironymeter just exploded.
Well we’ve got Coventry Wasps …………………..the richest London rugby club in the World.
Personally I think the Pro12 is weak enough already with minor teams like the Cardiff Loos and the Italian Jobsworths
I’m with you James W !!! I don’t belieeeeeeeeeeeeeve it !!!