The URC has issued an announcement pouring chilly water on stories of a merger with the Premiership that might exclude South African and Italian groups.
Stories from England urged that Premiership golf equipment favoured a merger with the URC that might see the formation of a brand new British & Irish league, on the expense of the 4 South African groups.
MORE: Premiership’s URC plan to exclude SA groups
Nevertheless, in an announcement launched on Friday, the URC denied any such discussions going down and mentioned it was dedicated to the 16 groups concerned within the league.
“Opposite to media stories the Vodacom United Rugby Championship shouldn’t be engaged in discussions concerning a British & Irish league,” the assertion learn.
“Because the introduction of the 4 South African groups in 2021, the league has loved a sustained interval of excellent success reaching report audiences, attendances, social media progress and new ranges of competitiveness.
“That is due in nice half to the efforts of all 16 groups throughout Eire, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales which has elevated the league to new heights.
“The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is dedicated to persevering with this tempo of progress within the new season and much into the long run.”
Since becoming a member of the URC in 2021, South African groups have helped take the previous PRO14 to new heights, with the league setting new attendance and broadcasting data.
Total attendances within the 2023-24 season had been recorded at 1,69 million followers, a progress of three% from the earlier season, whereas the full broadcast viewers for the season, 47,7 million, went up by 27%.
All three URC finals have been hosted in South Africa, with the DHL Stormers successful the inaugural version in 2022, whereas the Vodacom Bulls hosted the grand closing for the primary time final season.
Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
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