WRU could face EGM but not before end of Six Nations

The district calling for a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) extraordinary general meeting (EGM) says it now has enough support to trigger the event and force a vote of no-confidence in chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, which represents clubs in Neath, Bridgend, Aberavon and Maesteg, says the threshold of the 10% of the 282 clubs needed to call the EGM has been reached.

In the most recent letter to all clubs sent by Central Glamorgan honorary secretary Derek Davies, the district say they will not call for the meeting to be held until after the Six Nations finishes in mid-March so they "avoid any further negative disruption".

When the WRU are sent the details calling for an EGM, the governing body must call the event within 21 days.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney had played down the prospect of an EGM from being called when she and Collier-Keywood were both quizzed by politicians in Westminster about the state of Welsh rugby.

While only 29 clubs will be needed to force the EGM, as least 93 will need to be represented on the day to ensure the meeting is valid.

"Our aim is to gather as much support as possible from member clubs and affiliates so we can come together as one to show we are united and have a strong voice as clubs," the letter said.

"We want to express our views and concerns the WRU leadership are taking Welsh rugby down the wrong path which can lead to catastrophic damage to our game.

"The call for this EGM is about the future of Welsh rugby from the grassroots right up to the national teams.

"This could be the last opportunity we have before matters deteriorate even further."

Central Glamorgan are proposing three motions, the first being a vote of no confidence in WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and PRB chair Malcolm Wall, which would require a majority of more than 50% to pass.

The second motion would be for the WRU council to hold elections for the four elected member board positions within 14 days after the EGM, which also requires more than 50% of the vote.

The third motion is to amend how the WRU district and council members are elected, which will require a 75% majority.

The district say those two motions will be to ensure "the four most experienced and knowledgeable people from the WRU council serving on the board".

They deny they are attempting to change any major governance reforms that were voted for in 2023.

The letter also claims that while some clubs might want to support an EGM, they are worried about publicly supporting the movement.

"We have received some feedback that member clubs are supportive of an EGM but are fearful of repercussions if they submit the forms.

"We understand and respect these concerns, but it is worrying members feel like this.

"We have a democratic right to call for change via an EGM without fear of any reprisals or repercussions.

"The only people who can do something about initiating change is us as member clubs and affiliates, we are the Welsh Rugby Union, the leadership are there to govern the game on our behalf, they are not there to dictate to us.

"We have concerns the leadership are behaving in a master servant way of governing, not a sports governing body responsible for the betterment of the game in Wales."