Cardiff Rugby ‘to continue at Arms Park’

Cardiff Rugby have distanced themselves from hypothesis of a possible merger with fellow Welsh facet Ospreys.

Nevertheless, Cardiff confirmed the workforce “will proceed and can stay at Cardiff Arms Park”.

“Cardiff Rugby wish to make clear our future following media stories and hypothesis,” learn the assertion.

“Following the unhappy passing of life president Peter Thomas earlier this 12 months there have been all the time going to be adjustments on the membership.

“The Thomas household have nonetheless continued to assist us and have underwritten the brand new settlement with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), for which we’re enormously grateful.

“We now have now obtained the primary allocation of WRU monies, with the rest scheduled for early subsequent month. This settlement secures the membership’s future for the four-year time period of the settlement, albeit with lowered budgets.”

Wales’ 4 skilled rugby sides, Cardiff, Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets, have been beneath monetary strain, with a drop in funding after which a subsequent delay in receiving anticipated monies.

A brand new six-year deal between the WRU and the groups was signed in March.

Below the settlement, wage caps shall be launched for the 2023-24 season – £5.2m lowering to £4.5m for the 2024-25 marketing campaign.

However the deal – a brand new Skilled Rugby Settlement (PRA) that may run till 2029 – required various organisations to offer their approval, together with most notably the Welsh Authorities due to a present mortgage settlement it holds with the WRU and areas.

That noticed the areas in some circumstances unable to supply participant contracts, with gamers opting to go away for safer offers exterior Wales – whereas there has lengthy been hypothesis that the monetary scenario might see one of many regional sides minimize or merged with one other to go away Wales with three groups.

Cardiff’s assertion not less than confirms the continuation of top-level rugby in Wales’ capital metropolis for the foreseeable future.

“Since Peter’s unhappy passing, there have inevitably been quite a few enquiries and approaches across the buy of his shareholding,” the assertion continued.

“It’s our board’s responsibility to take heed to, and contemplate, all approaches that might enhance our revenues and strengthen the membership shifting ahead. These conversations are commercially delicate and subsequently confidential at this stage.

“Skilled rugby is undoubtedly dealing with vital challenges throughout the entire sport, however Cardiff Rugby will proceed and can stay at Cardiff Arms Park.

“We’re trying ahead to the brand new season and a return to the Champions Cup, with the squad returning for pre-season final week.

“We actually respect the continued assist of our loyal fan base at the moment and can concern additional communications as and when applicable. Within the interim, we thanks in your continued endurance.”