Super Rygbi Cymru

In early 2023 it was revealed that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had devised initial plans for an "elite" eight-team league to sit between the professional regions and the community level,^[3] with the aim of "bridging the gap" between the semi-professional and the professional game in Wales.^[4] Senior WRU officials are reported to have presented the idea to club representatives in a private meeting at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 14 March 2023.^[3] WalesOnline later reported that discussions about a new league creation have dated back to 2016.^[5] The initial proposal was for each Welsh region (Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets) to nominate one club from their pathway,^[3] and would be joined by Rygbi Gogledd Cymru from North Wales, and the three remaining places to be filled by Welsh Premiership clubs.^[3] The WRU later made a compromise to have ten clubs rather than the initially planned eight.^[4] Each team that was to enter the competition would have to be partnered with one of the four regions,^[4][6] and would receive £110,000 (later lowered to £105,000)^[7] in funding by the WRU on the assurance they have a viable business model.^[4]

By August 2023 the new ten-team competition was confirmed after receiving the approval of various Welsh rugby stakeholders to replace the Welsh Premiership under the placeholder: Elite Domestic Competition (EDC).^[5][8] The EDC's first season was set for 2024–25 and would have no promotion or relegation.^[8] In October 2023 it was confirmed that the Welsh regions would have control over key decisions (like appointing a Director of Rugby) and the league would have a £150,000 starting salary cap.^[6] Across late 2023 and early 2024, the EDC invited applications for three-year licenses to join the new league.^[9] The EDC reportedly received ten submissions from different Premiership clubs.^[9] Cardiff, Merthyr and Pontypridd all rejected the invitation to join, arguing that fewer home games in the EDC compared to the Premiership would cut revenue.^[9] They also questioned the business logic of a winter break and a proposed cup competition during the Six Nations Championship.^[9] Cardiff later reversed on their opposition to the invite and submitted an application.^[9]

By May 2024 the competition format, trophies and fixtures had been announced,^[10] alongside the official name: Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC).^[11][12] The inaugural season began in September 2024 and included eighteen regular season rounds with a cup competition (SRC Cup) contested during the 2025 Six Nations Championship (January–March) before finishing in May 2025 with a play-offs elimination to conclude the season champions.^[13] Newport won the first Super Rygbi Cymru title, defeating Ebbw Vale 27–18 at Eugene Cross Park.^[14]