WRU Group Chief Executive Martyn Phillips has laid out the Union's strategic vision for the Principality Premiership.

Phillips was speaking at the launch of the Principality Premiership at Eugene Cross Park, the home of champions Ebbw Vale and emphasised the Union's desire to ensure the Premiership is a 'vibrant, competitive, well-supported league that provides top level rugby opportunities and is the vehicle to develop and retain players, coaches and match officials for elite Welsh rugby'.

The Principality Premiership kicks off next weekend in a new-look, 16-team format. The league, which welcomes promoted Championship sides Bargoed, Merthyr, RGC and Swansea, will split into two tiers at the half way point of the season, the top eight in a race to get into the semi-finals and final to challenge Ebbw Vale for the title. The Tier Two teams will also have play-offs to determine the Tier Two winner. The league will be ring-fenced for two seasons to aid the development of potential professional players by removing the threat of relegation.

Martyn Phillips said, "The Principality Premiership is a critical part of our player, coach and club strategy and in line with the new format and ring-fencing of the league, we have a three year strategic plan for the division developed in conjunction with the clubs.

"The Premiership is a breeding ground for future professional players and we need to ensure those players, and developing coaches and referees, can progress in a high performance environment. We are adopting a collaborative approach to marketing, ticketing and commercial deals, and as with all levels of the game in Wales, we want to attract more supporters, more often and also invest in club administrators to ensure we safeguard the future sustainability of these historic clubs."

WRU Head of Rugby Performance Geraint John said, "We hope the changes will add intensity to an already competitive league. The first 15 rounds of the season will add jeopardy to the division with all clubs vying to reach the top eight for the second half of the season. And, with only eight teams in the fight for the play-offs, I expect to see a significant step-up in standard in all Tier One matches. Tier Two clubs will also be looking to prove a point and finish as high as possible in the table order to gain momentum for the following season."