Background
In early 2023 it was revealed that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had devised initial plans for an "elite" eight-team league to sit between the professional regions and the community level, [3] with the aim of "bridging the gap" between the semi-professional and the professional game in Wales. [4] Senior WRU officials are reported to have presented the idea to club representatives in a private meeting at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 14 March 2023. [3] WalesOnline later reported that discussions about a new league creation have dated back to 2016. [5] The initial proposal was for each Welsh region (Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets) to nominate one club from their pathway, [3] and would be joined by Rygbi Gogledd Cymru from North Wales, and the three remaining places to be filled by Welsh Premiership clubs. [3] The WRU later made a compromise to have ten clubs rather than the initially planned eight. [4] Each team that was to enter the competition would have to be partnered with one of the four regions, [4] [6] and would receive £110,000 (later lowered to £105,000) [7] in funding by the WRU on the assurance they have a viable business model. [4]
By August 2023 the new ten-team competition was confirmed after receiving the approval of various Welsh rugby stakeholders to replace the Welsh Premiership under the placeholder: Elite Domestic Competition (EDC). [5] [8] The EDC's first season was set for 2024–25 and would have no promotion or relegation. [8] In October 2023 it was confirmed that the Welsh regions would have control over key decisions (like appointing a Director of Rugby) and the league would have a £150,000 starting salary cap. [6] Across late 2023 and early 2024, the EDC invited applications for three-year licenses to join the new league. [9] The EDC reportedly received ten submissions from different Premiership clubs. [9] Cardiff, Merthyr and Pontypridd all rejected the invitation to join, arguing that fewer home games in the EDC compared to the Premiership would cut revenue. [9] They also questioned the business logic of a winter break and a proposed cup competition during the Six Nations Championship. [9] Cardiff later reversed on their opposition to the invite and submitted an application. [9]
By May 2024 the competition format, trophies and fixtures had been announced, [10] alongside the official name: Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC). [11] [12] The inaugural season began in September 2024 and included eighteen regular season rounds with a cup competition (SRC Cup) contested during the 2025 Six Nations Championship (January–March) before finishing in May 2025 with a play-offs elimination to conclude the season champions. [13] Newport won the first Super Rygbi Cymru title, defeating Ebbw Vale 27–18 at Eugene Cross Park. [14]
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