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South African teams could join the Anglo-Welsh Cup
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It currently features the 12 English clubs and the four Welsh regions
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The prospective competition would run during the international windows
Premiership rugby is considering a radical plan to invite South African Currie Cup teams to play in a revamped knockout cup competition from 2020.
Changes to rugby’s calendar post-2019 would offer English rugby bosses the chance to invite Currie Cup teams into the developmental tournament.
“There are four big things for us: attendance growth, audience growth, the appeal of our brand, and then making sure we have it all financially sustainable,” chief executive Mark McCafferty told BBC 5 live.
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“The players were fully involved [in the discussions], there was engagement. The important thing now is we work through the detail,” McCafferty said.
“Players will have slightly different pre-seasons, that will be the answer.
“For the vast majority of players it will be very good, there will be the opportunity for mid-season breaks, which they have been calling for.”
Despite the unrest, the Premiership chief insists his organisation has led the way when it comes to player welfare in recent months.
“I don’t think there is a league in the world that has invested as much time or resource in player welfare as we have,” he added.
“Whether that is player development, or concussion, we have led the world.”