In addition, SWALEC Championship clubs Pontypool, RGC 1404 and Swansea have achieved the Premiership A Licence which means that should any of those clubs win the SWALEC Championship this season, they will be automatically promoted with the bottom placed Principality Premiership club relegated to the SWALEC Championship.
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “The Principality Premiership is a fantastic competition where almost all of our international players cut their teeth in senior rugby. Standards have clearly risen on the field with teams working hard in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union compliance department to meet on field targets and narrow the gap between semi-professional and professional rugby and create an environment fit for producing future Wales players.
“Off it too, Principality Premiership clubs, in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union, are constantly driving up standards to make their clubs welcoming and professional match venues for players, coaches, match officials and supporters. We are running the Rugby Enterprise Academy for the second successive season, placing University students with A licence clubs in order to support them with their commercial, marketing and communications operations.”
“It was fantastic to help launch the tenth season of the Principality Premiership at Sardis Road last week, and judging by the excitement generated by the Round One fixtures alone, along with the start of the SWALEC Championship, we are in for a thrilling season.”
Clubs awarded A Licence status:
Aberavon
Bedwas
Bridgend
Cardiff
Carmarthen Quins
Cross Keys
Ebbw vale
Llandovery
Llanelli
Neath
Newport
Pontypridd
Pontypool
RGC 1404
Swansea
