Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has reignited the debate surrounding the future structure of professional rugby, doubling down on his support for an Anglo-Welsh league. With the Gallagher Premiership looking to expand from 10 clubs to 12, Baxter believes that inviting Welsh teams into the English fold could provide the long-term stability both nations desperately require.
The proposal comes in the wake of significant instability in the English game, which saw the collapse of Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish in recent years. These exits have left the Premiership with fewer matches, creating a fiscal and logistical gap that clubs are eager to fill. Last week, reports surfaced that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had expressed a serious interest in migrating two of its teams from the United Rugby Championship (URC) to the English top flight.
Addressing the prospect, Baxter made it clear he has no intention of distancing himself from his previous pro-merger stance. “There’s no point in me backtracking on what I’ve said in the past,” the Exeter director of rugby stated. “We need more teams in the Prem, and it seems like a very simple idea. If it happens, great; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Baxter acknowledges the significant hurdles that remain, including complex television rights and existing long-term contractual obligations that currently tether Welsh clubs to the URC. However, he remains focused on the sporting necessity for a more robust calendar. “I think everybody in the sport knows that we would need more regular games throughout the season,” he argued, adding that he believes Premiership clubs could comfortably play through the Six Nations and autumn windows if the league structure were expanded to 12 or 14 teams.
The move has not been without controversy; the URC has reportedly threatened legal action should Welsh teams attempt to defect. Nevertheless, for Baxter, the benefits of such an alliance are clear. Previously describing an Anglo-Welsh league as “brilliant,” he noted that it would solve a mutual problem: English clubs need the volume of matches to remain financially viable, while Welsh clubs have frequently expressed frustrations regarding the financial burden and travel disruption associated with the URC.
While the official position from the RFU and Premiership Rugby continues to emphasize a focus on internal expansion, Baxter’s public backing adds significant pressure to the ongoing discussions. Whether through the inclusion of Welsh sides or another avenue, the Exeter boss insists that the priority must be creating a better, more frequent competition. “As far as I’m concerned,” he said, “whatever happens to create more games and a better competition, it would be a positive thing. I would obviously welcome it.”
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