WRU accused of 'scaremongering' in clubs dispute
Welsh Rugby Union has held extraordinary general meetings in 2014, 2020 and 2023
- Published
The Welsh district behind the call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) has dismissed Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) claims such an event would be an "irresponsible first nuclear option".
Central Glamorgan Rugby Union wrote to clubs asking them to support an EGM and a vote of no confidence in WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall.
The WRU responded last Friday evening with a strongly worded message, external to Welsh clubs warning against supporting the proposals.
An EGM requires 10% of the near 300 clubs to support the motion.
Central Glamorgan Rugby Union has since responded to the WRU claims with their own correspondence to Welsh clubs, accusing the governing body of "scaremongering".
The district has again asked the clubs to back the EGM proposals in the letter signed by honorary secretary Derek Davies.
The letter said: "We do not believe calling an EGM is an irresponsible first nuclear option which will cause significant damage to Welsh rugby.
"The irony of this statement is astonishing given the significant damage already being done by the leadership.
"Welsh rugby is at a critical moment with the current leadership being unable to formulate and commence the delivery of a plan that sets our game in Wales on the right track."
The WRU launched a strategy in October suggesting major change to the Welsh game, which includes cutting one of the four men's professional sides.
The governing body has so far failed to achieve that, with more talks expected in the coming days.
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What is being proposed?
Central Glamorgan Rugby Union represents clubs in the Neath, Port Talbot, Maesteg and Bridgend areas and is one of nine districts that help make up the WRU.
Three motions have been tabled with Central Glamorgan stating it is "from a collective member organisation" and not just "individuals involved" as claimed by the WRU.
The first a vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood and 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 position within 14 days after the EGM, which also requires more than 50%.
The third motion is to amend how the WRU district and council members are elected, which will require a 75% majority.
In addition to the motions, six recommendations are being put forward:
To put an immediate hold on plans to amend the structure of the professional game, with a full review of WRU finances and organisation structure to be undertaken to identify where money can be saved (executive and board salaries, consultants) to support the professional, SRCand community game in Wales.
A rugby steering group to be set up within three weeks comprising of people from the professional, SRC and community game along with business sector. This group will be directed to advise on rugby related matters and negate the need for expensive consultants.
A central national academy to be set up within three months, to be totally responsible for the identification and development of talent for male and female players.
Except for the WRU chief executive and chair and the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair, no directors (independent non-executive or WRU council members) should be paid.
The new WRU chair and PRB chair appointments should be immersed in Welsh culture, have a strong understanding of Welsh rugby and values, ideally be conversant in the Welsh language and live in Wales.
To rescind the decision made about past WRU presidents which Central Glamorgan claims has seen people have their lifetime membership revoked.
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney (left) was appointed in January 2024, while chair Richard Collier-Keywood was installed in 2023
The governing body stated the proposed motions would reverse hard-won progress, stall vital investment and jeopardise the prosperity of Welsh rugby at every level, and that £28m of planned investment in the game would be delayed, thus "undermining long-term success" on the field and impact preparation for the Six Nations.
Central Glamorgan stated its motions and recommendations "would not seriously harm Welsh rugby," saying: "The current leadership are doing that themselves. Since March 2025 we have seen U-turn after U-turn.
"We are not the ones causing uncertainty for players, staff, volunteers, sponsors, supporters and community rugby in Wales.
"We are sure sponsors and business partners are more concerned about the reputational damage being caused to Welsh rugby by the leadership and negative publicity being received and the fact personnel must appear before MPs.
"This is more of a concern than the removal of two people from the organisation."
'Fear is a powerful emotion'
The WRU letter also said financial and commercial stability as well as governance integrity would also be in jeopardy, which it claimed would "drag Welsh rugby back to outdated structures and a return to debilitation factional internal politics".
A previous EGM was held in 2023 where the clubs backed proposals to modernise the board with more independent selected members rather than elected candidates.
Central Glamorgan has responded by accusing the WRU of scaremongering.
"The call for an EGM does not undermine any governance stability, we are not asking for any governance changes that were implemented in 2023," it said.
"This WRU statement is just another scaremongering tactic for clubs not to support an EGM.
"People in power can use scaremongering as a tactical tool to gain support and control the agenda. Fear is a powerful emotion that can bypass logical reasoning making people more susceptible to manipulation.
"We live in a society where we have a democratic right to call an EGM and should fear no reprisals or repercussions from doing so."
The WRU stated it had "turned a financial and governance corner in the past two years and independent experts have confirmed our significant progress".
Central Glamorgan said 'while finances have increased, investment into the game has not improved greatly'.
"All we are seeing is an increase in the organisational structure, overinflated salaries, the use of consultants and no progress at all," it said.
"Money is not being invested properly into the core product which is rugby."
'Laughing stock of world rugby'
Clubs have been criticised for not raising issues at the annual general meeting held at the end of November, staged a day after Wales lost 73-0 to South Africa.
Central Glamorgan point to the lack of information provided at the meeting.
The letter questioned: "Without the annual report and statements of accounts how can we challenge?"
"The accounts should be issued 21 days prior to the AGM as per the WRU articles of association, but they were not issued until the Friday evening - yet another ploy not to challenge and be silenced.
"This was the second year in a row that this has happened."
The WRU has accepted this point and say they arranged a couple of briefing sessions but the clubs are not happy with the timing of these meetings.
Central Glamorgan also say there have been further events to consider since the AGM.
"We have seen more uncertainty, players leaving, a delay in announcing the men's coaching set up for the Six Nations and the resignation of a well-respected and highly knowledgeable council member [Anthony Buchanan] who had no confidence in the board."
The letter doubled down on how the clubs feel Welsh rugby is perceived and concluded: "It is sad and unfortunate at this moment we are not held in high esteem, and are now recognised as a laughing stock on the world stage.
"We want to change the narrative in a respectful manner and act in the best interests of rebuilding all parts of Welsh rugby with the right personnel."
