The Welsh Rugby Union can confirm it has officially lodged an ‘expression of interest’ bid to join Premiership Women’s Rugby.
The PWR opened the ‘expression of interest’ process to women’s programmes in the UK and Ireland at the start of April.
The process is designed to see an expansion of the PWR competition to allow sides from outside of England to participate in the league.
Dave Reddin, WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, said, “We are heavily invested in the growth in Women’s rugby.
“The prospect of having Welsh representation in the PWR as a potential part of that is a really exciting option we have to investigate.”
“Taking this official step allows us to understand the proposition from PWR more fully and what would be required from us to participate in any league expansion.
“The Celtic Challenge is key to the player development pathway in Wales, and we have 28 players in the current senior W6N squad who have played in the league to underline it’s status to the WRU.”
Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, said: “From my personal experience, having worked within the PWR, I appreciate what the league has done for women’s rugby globally and its ability to attract the best players from around the world.
“There has always been a significant Welsh player representation in the PWR, and I know there has always been an appetite for Welsh teams to play in the league.”
The Celtic Challenge is the cross-border competition between two sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales and has just completed it’s third season.
The two Welsh sides, Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning, qualified for the semi-final play-offs this season.
The PWR ‘expression of interest’ process is intended to look at the competition’s structure and sustainable long-term sporting success, enhance its commercial growth and strengthen the league’s position at the forefront of women’s professional sport.