The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced that a new representative team will be created in North Wales as part of plans to establish a development region.

It is hoped that the new representative team will be able to take advantage of the growth in the elite player base in North Wales, and grow in status as it becomes more competitive. One option could see the Gogledd Cymru team invited to compete against development teams established by the four Welsh regions. Another idea that will be discussed by all the rugby stakeholders in Wales would see the team entered into Premiership level rugby to compete with semi-professional teams based in South Wales.

A working party has been formed to investigate how the new Gogledd Cymru team can be set up ahead of the 2010-11 season. Provided full agreement is reached on its structure and financial viability, Gogledd Cymru could be ready for compete by 2010, and the WRU says it highlights the governing body's commitment to establishing an elite player base in the north of the country.

WRU chief executive, Roger Lewis, said: "We are committed to developing rugby in North Wales to a level which ensures every one of our young players has a clearly defined and simple route onto the pathway to the top. "The recognition of North Wales as a development region and the establishment of this working party are major steps forward in our focus on the north. We want to label North Wales as a development region to ensure everyone understands our total commitment to nurturing all available talent there in the most appropriate and meaningful way."

The news follows a recent announcement by the WRU of its intention to re-establish a fifth rugby-playing region in Wales, with a North Wales team considered to be the most likely option. "North Wales already boasts some 3,000 active players which makes it strategically important for the development and sustainability of our national game," added Lewis. "We have a strategic plan in place for North Wales and this step forward represents progress in achieving its aims."