The Welsh Rugby Union has formally expressed their interest in entering teams into the expansion of the English Professional Women’s Rugby league.

The PWR announced in March that it is considering expanding it’s nine-team league to clubs outside of England. The Irish Rugby Football Union have also expressed interest in potentially joining the league.

Both nations have two teams each competing in the Celtic Challenge: Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning for Wales, and Clovers and Wolfhounds for Ireland. All four finished in the play-off spots this season, ahead of Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby of Scotland.

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”.

“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,” Reddin said.

28 of Wales’ 38-player squad for the current Six Nations campaign has appeared in the PWR, while Leicester Tigers and Ealing Trailfinders were the most recent sides to enter the league in 2023.

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’s rugby globally and its ability to attract the best players from around the world,” he said.

“There has always been a significant Welsh player representation in the PWR and I know there has always been an appetite for Welsh teams to play in the league.”

Whether the WRU intend to enter both Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder, or simply field a Cardiff-based side and maintain the Celtic Challenge as well, remains to be seen.

The WRU’s recent plans for women’s rugby includes a pledge to run two fully professional women’s teams.

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