URC CEO discusses Women's & U23 divisions

The possibility of the URC incorporating U23 and Women’s divisions in the competition are on the horizon, according to CEO Martin Anayi. 

There are, however, no current plans to create a URC second division. 

Regarding a women’s division, Anayi spoke to the media yesterday, saying the following: 

 “I was speaking about that to stakeholders yesterday,” said Anayi. “Over half of our employees are women and we asked them what they wanted and a competition for women was in the top three answers from everyone. 

“It’s not the market, it just feels like we should have a women’s competition. We’re only a competition organiser so we asked the unions because they pay the players. And we have seen what they have done in England with the Premier 15s. 

“And we’ve spoken to World Rugby because they have a competition coming on stream [WXV, which launches next year] and Ben Morel in the Women’s Six Nations. 

“And we feel the URC can play a part in the Women’s Six Nations getting stronger. We want to be a part of that. Is it 16 teams? Do we get it going sooner rather than later? Yes, we should. 

“We do have women’s teams in Ireland but it’s hit and miss elsewhere. There is a will but the unions must be involved and we’re exploring how that comes about.” 

An U23 competition would give a number of younger squad members, as well as those looking to break into senior squads, some extra game time which they would otherwise miss out on.  

 “When we revised the format, it came out that it had been great that there were development pathway elements to the season [in the previous format], four to six games a season to bring players through,” Anayi continued. “They could come through quickly if they were Jordan Larmour and so on. 

“One of the things about not playing on international weekends is that we don’t have that pathway. We have been asked to look at an ‘A’ team league or a Next Generation competition that might fit that role. It might be four to six weekends a year potentially within those international windows, so we’re looking at that. 

“A little like the women’s competition, there are different requirements in each territory. Part of the economics of our clubs is that they have reduced their squads because they don’t have to play on international weekends, so they’d have to hire back up again which would be counter-productive. 

“So I think it would have to be a development U23 type of competition for it to really work. That’s something we’re looking at now.” 

In light of suggestions that a second division, Anayi’s response was not positive. 

“No, it’s not on the cards,” he said. “We’ve got a job on our hands to make sure the URC is as good as it can be and we’re getting there, for sure. So it’s not for the present. 

“We do love the Cheetahs, they’re a big part of our history, so if we can help them in any way to find a competition that does work, you can rest assured we would do that. 

“But there are no plans for a URC 2 at the moment.”