Welsh outfits will be hoping to improve on last season with Ireland and SA teams still looking like the ones to beat. Ben Jaycock reports.
None of the four Welsh sides managed to qualify for the knockout stages in the URC last term and the mass exodus of internationals won’t help the regions’ cause this season.
The perilous financial position of Welsh rugby has seen the playing budget cut to £5.2m for the 2023-24 season and further reduced to £4.5m for the following campaign making recruitment and retention a nightmare.
Cardiff finished top of the Welsh Shield in 2022/23 after picking up nine...