Ealing to the URC?

[Leonormous Boozer]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/frustrated-ealing-in-advanced-talks-to-join-urc/

Only this article from hack supreme and a bunch of other hack sites reporting it so doubt it holds much weight - they'd also not have a governing body because the RFU will drop them as far as I know based on the LIrish rumours awhile back.

The URC will get weirder when the Welsh drop a team though, how weird will be interesting.

 

[Brown Bottle]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/frustrated-ealing-in-advanced-talks-to-join-urc/

Only this article from hack supreme and a bunch of other hack sites reporting it so doubt it holds much weight - they'd also not have a governing body because the RFU will drop them as far as I know based on the LIrish rumours awhile back.

The URC will get weirder when the Welsh drop a team though, how weird will be interesting.

If they want to play URC games in England they need agreement from the RFU and AFAIK they would need to be affiliated with the governing body responsible for the country they are based in anyway so it's not a question of the RFU dropping them. Just whether they'd allow it to happen.

 

[Demfad]

A 5th Saffer club more viable perhaps. I don’t see Scotland or Italy producing a third yet.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The french press saying that Fiji rugby are looking at potentially setting up a team in Bilbao
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/05/03...jien-qui-intrigue-au-pays-basque-13353819.php

Would seem dumb to me and don't see that happening but I like the idea and market potential

But IMO if the URC want to replace the Welsh teams, I do think they should be looking at the Spanish or Portuguese markets
I would say Georgia but no URC country has direct flights

I just don't see the benefits, really, of having a London team that can't get over 2K supporters. The TV market won't increase because no one cares about Ealing in England and does the owner even want to invest that kind of money to make them compeitive as their Champ team will just get spanked

 

[Demfad]

The french press saying that Fiji rugby are looking at potentially setting up a team in Bilbao
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2026/05/03...jien-qui-intrigue-au-pays-basque-13353819.php

Would seem dumb to me and don't see that happening but I like the idea and market potential

But IMO if the URC want to replace the Welsh teams, I do think they should be looking at the Spanish or Portuguese markets
I would say Georgia but no URC country has direct flights

I just don't see the benefits, really, of having a London team that can't get over 2K supporters. The TV market won't increase because no one cares about Ealing in England and does the owner even want to invest that kind of money to make them compeitive as their Champ team will just get spanked

Great point. I think there is huge potential for a Spanish team from the Basque region and the Spanish Government are eager to substantiate their arguments for a World Cup to be held there. In general if rugby cracks Spain then it is a major major advancement in spreading the sport and so more seeds need to be planted.