The Welsh Rugby Union have confirmed they have held talks with their English counterparts with the inclusion of Premiership clubs from Wales among the proposals.

The top tier competition would involve the 12 English Premiership clubs, all four Welsh Regions and four clubs from a new-look second tier of English rugby.

The second cup would feature the remaining eight clubs from the English second tier and six teams from the Principality Premiership.

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis plans to outline progress over talks so far with the Welsh Premier Division representatives in the coming weeks.

Lewis said: "I've been in discussions with the Rugby Football Union aimed at growing the game, not just at regional level but at Premiership level too, for a number of months.

"There are clear implications for the Premiership and I will be holding discussions with those clubs in a couple of weeks' time.

"These proposals will create an exciting competition which the game needs and will also bring additional money to replace the EDF Energy Cup.

"There is a shared desire among the RFU and WRU to preserve Anglo-Welsh encounters to enhance existing competitions.

"But Anglo-Welsh matches must complement Celtic rugby and we are also determined to develop the Magners League."