Rob Baxter not prepared to backtrack on 'simple' fix to PREM problem

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says he would welcome Welsh regions into the Gallagher PREM with open arms after the WRU expressed interest in joining an Anglo-Welsh league.

The Professional Rugby Board, which runs the professional game in Wales, was told last week that the WRU plans to explore moving from the United Rugby Championship across the Severn Bridge to play teams from England.

Baxter says that 10 sides aren’t enough for the Gallagher PREM, which dropped three teams after Wasps, Worcester and London Irish all folded in quick succession three years ago.

The PREM hopes to expand to 12 teams for the 2029-30 season and has a “long-term ambition” to grow further, and bosses have claimed that their focus is on using their existing pyramid and bringing Champ teams into the fold.

But the Welsh plan gets a thumbs up from Baxter, who believes PREM clubs would even be willing to play league games through one of the two international windows during the season, as they always used to, if it meant playing more games.

“There’s no point in me backtracking on what I’ve said in the past. 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,” he said.

“I know it’s very complex as to why it can’t happen around TV deals and long-standing other contracts. Contractual things are in place. But I think everybody, everybody in the sport, knows that we would need more regular games through the season.

“We play through the Six Nations anyway in the PREM Rugby Cup. I think probably if there were 12 or 14 teams in the PREM, I don’t think PREM teams would have a problem playing through the Six Nations and the Autumn period. We used to do it.

“Once you know it’s happening and you build a season around that, you get on with it. As far as I’m concerned, whatever happens to create more games and a better competition, it would be a positive thing, whether that’s the Welsh teams or another avenue. I would obviously welcome it.”