Wales’ top-flight semi-professional division will undergo a change in format and make-up, after the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed the introduction of geographical groups.
In 2017/18, the Principality Premiership will be divided into two regional groups, with the division’s 16 sides split between eastern and western pools. Clubs will play each of the other sides in their region home and away in the first half of the season, before the two regional groups form one division and each side plays each other once again.
The Welsh Rugby Union states the changes have been made “in order to help support the clubs from a rugby, financial and supporters’ experience perspective and to fit into the national and regional pathway programme.”
As speculated, the Principality Premiership has been given a revamp following reaction to the controversial two-tiered format trialled last season which left clubs with an uneven amount of home and away matches.
As well as being ring-fenced until 2019, the division split down the middle into two separate tiers of eight teams at the half-way point in January.
Teams then played the other seven teams in their tier once to determine final league positions and play-off qualification.
However, the format was criticised as trivialising the Tier Two sides, with other grievances focusing on the inequality of home and away matches, and large gaps between fixtures.
The WRU has attempted to address the issues with the latest format change – which will be in place for the next two seasons – citing clubs’ sustainability as a key to the decision.
WRU Head of Rugby Operations, Julie Paterson, said: “We have taken on board the views expressed by the Principality Premiership clubs, particularly in respect of the number and regularity of fixtures required to enable the clubs to be sustainable. A number of surveys, workshops and meetings have been held with all club stakeholders – administrators, supporters, coaches and players, looking at different areas of the club game at this level.
“We hope the east and west Wales leagues will build on the history and heritage of the Principality Premiership clubs while maximising the pride and ability to attract community support that comes from traditional local derbies. The geographical split will also help reduce travel costs for clubs and supporters.
Fixtures for the entire Premiership season have been announced, instead of just half, which left some clubs unable to budget for the second stage of last season without knowing their opponents or match venues.
Clubs are guaranteed 29 matches next season. The first half includes 14 combined home and away matches in each region, before every club plays each other once in a further 15 rounds.
At the split, each club in both eastern and western leagues will be allocated points based on league positioning. Clubs in top spot get eight points, second place receives seven, continuing to eighth placed clubs, who receive one point.
The WRU claims the system “will ensure all clubs remain in the race to be crowned division winners” and will placate supporters unhappy at the previous system, where points accrued in the first 14 fixtures of the season were wiped after the split.
Other changes include the scrapping of both the Foster’s Challenge Cup, which was won by Bedwas last season, and the league’s play-off system, meaning the club at the top of 16-strong division at the end of the season will be crowned champions.
WRU Head of Rugby Performance, Geraint John, said: “The Principality Premiership is a vital competition in underpinning the professional game in Wales, providing a crucial stepping stone for our potential future professional players in addition to the British & Irish and Anglo-Welsh Cup competitions.
“We believe the new format and in particular, the additional, guaranteed local derbies in the first half of the season will further support the work of the Regions to establish the place of the Principality Premiership within the regional and national pathway in order to underpin player, coach and referee development, and at this time we feel this solution meets the vast majority of those needs.
“We will continue to assess the outcomes of this new format but there will be no further structural changes to the Principality Premiership until at least the 2019/20 season.”
The east Wales group will comprise of Merthyr, Bargoed, Bedwas, Cardiff, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Newport and Pontypridd.
Aberavon, Bridgend, Carmarthen Quins, Llandovery, Llanelli, Neath, RGC 1404 and Swansea complete the west Wales group.
Of the Caerphilly County Borough sides, Bedwas finished highest in 2016/17, as they were knocked out in the Tier One play-off semi-final stage. Cross Keys fell at the same stage in Tier Two, while Bargoed finished second from bottom.
Chris Clarke, Principality Premiership clubs chairman added, “The format of the league has been amended this coming season in line with the suggestions of supporters and clubs and we look forward to another challenging and competitive season.”