WRU lodges interest to enter team in expanded PWR

WRU lodges interest to enter team in expanded PWRImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kate Williams (left) Sisilia Tuipulotu (centre) and Jasmine Joyce (right) are among 28 Wales squad members who play for PWR teamsByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport WalesPublished2 minutes agoWelsh rugby has taken a first significant step towards entering a team in England's top flight women's competition. Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) is considering expanding the nine-team league to clubs outside of England.The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has confirmed it has formally lodged an expression of interest, with director of rugby Dave Reddin describing the prospect as a "really exciting option we have to investigate".He added: "Taking this official step allows us to understand the proposition from PWR more fully and what would be required from us to participate in any league expansion."The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has also confirmed its interest in entering a team.Welsh rugby aims to halt player-drain to EnglandPublished25 October 2025WRU to express interest over team in PWRPublished9 AprilGriffiths appointed WRU director of women’s rugbyPublished30 April'Always been an appetite'Wales currently has two women's sides, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, competing in the Celtic Challenge alongside clubs from Ireland and Scotland.But joining the most lucrative and competitive domestic league in Europe has long been an ambition, with 28 of Wales' 38-strong Six Nations squad playing in the PWR.Leicester and Trailfinders are the most recent clubs to enter, when they joined Gloucester-Hartpury, Bristol, Sale, Exeter, Saracens, Harlequins and Loughborough three years ago.Wales head coach Sean Lynn, who won three consecutive titles with Gloucester-Hartpury, said he was keen for a Welsh team to be part of the competition."From my personal experience, having worked within the PWR, I appreciate what the league has done for women&...