What is at stake at Welsh rugby’s newest EGM?Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wales play international rugby games at the Principality StadiumByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished1 hour agoComments
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What is at stake at Welsh rugby’s newest EGM?Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wales play international rugby games at the Principality StadiumByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished1 hour agoComments
Here we go again.
Welsh rugby faces another crisis meeting as the newest extraordinary general meeting (EGM) is staged at the Principality Stadium on Monday evening.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) seems to attract these sort of events with EGM’s held or called in 2014, 2020 and 2023.
The sting might have been taken out of this particular event after it was declared controversial chair Richard Collier-Keywood will step down in July – though in theory he may still face a vote of no-confidence this evening.
It could, however, turn into a “talking shop” rather than a meaningful and momentous event, but will provide the clubs and the WRU a chance to plot the future of the troubled Welsh rugby game.
It seems unlikely but is still technically possible.
The Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) initially succeeded in receiving the required 10% of backing from Welsh clubs to call the EGM.
It had proposed three motions, which included a vote of no-confidence in WRU chair Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall.
The third motion involved governance changes which included how the four council WRU members – who sit on the governing body’s board – are elected.
It has since been declared both Collier-Keywood and Wall will be leaving their respective roles. Former Harlequins chairman Wall has been replaced on an interim basis by Marianne Okland, while the process has been started to replace Collier-Keywood.
Following the announcement of those departures, the CGRU wrote to clubs stating it would withdraw the motions and believed the EGM should be cancelled.
The WRU rejected calls for the meeting to be called off, saying legal obligations dictate it must go ahead.
The governing body wrote to member clubs to check if any object to the resolutions being withdrawn from the EGM, given that 40 of the original 50 member clubs that requisitioned the meeting proactively withdrew their support.
If clubs responded to this letter requesting to keep the resolutions on the table, the EGM will open with all members being asked to consent to the withdrawal of the resolutions.
If consent is not obtained, the EGM will continue as originally planned and members will vote on the three resolutions.
If no objections are received, the EGM will take place as an informal meeting which will include a WRU presentation about the “future of rugby in Wales” followed by an open discussion.
Clubs can attend in person at the Principality Stadium or online with at least 95 clubs needed in order for the meeting to begin without delay, if resolutions are to be considered.
WRU board members will be in attendance. Whether outgoing Collier-Keywood – now effectively a “lame duck” chair – is present or speaks remains to be seen, with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and director of rugby Dave Reddin the other key figures.
The WRU’s most controversial plan is to cut the number of men’s professional teams from four to three by June 2027.
We are waiting to see whether the WRU leadership will change their minds again about how many teams it wants and whether three is still the magic number.
A little more than a year ago the WRU was committed to four equally funded sides but that altered when the governing body took over ownership of Cardiff in April 2025 after the club briefly went into administration.
After disputes with Ospreys and Scarlets, the WRU then stated it could not afford four sides any more and in August stated its preferred option was two teams.
Following a consultation in September, that was changed to three teams with one to be based in the west, one in the east and one in Cardiff.
There have been no signs the WRU is planning to alter its thinking again but how it gets to three remains problematic.
The WRU declared in January that Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media were the preferred option to buy Cardiff, a process that is still ongoing.
That proposal has been met with criticism and protests from fans and politicians. Legal action has been initiated by Swansea Council against the WRU with doubts over Ospreys’ long-term future.
The WRU has tried to convince people that the Cardiff takeover deal by Ospreys is not connected with their efforts to reduce a side, insisting publicly the two issues are separate.
The governing body says if it cannot come to an agreement with the regions about losing a professional side by consensus, a tender process will take place.
Separately, the WRU has had to deal with legal action instigated by Scarlets over the Cardiff takeover with both sides refusing to publicly release details of the case.
It remains to be seen how much the clubs challenge the WRU once they have heard the presentation.
At the annual general meeting (AGM) in November, a day after Wales had lost 73-0 to South Africa in Cardiff, there was only one question for the WRU hierarchy from the clubs about the men’s professional game.
At the time, Collier-Keywood took this apathy as a mandate for change.
The CGRU had suggested a few recommendations to be discussed, alongside the motions that included:
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, SRC and 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, 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.
We wait to see whether any of these points are raised and debated.
WRU president Terry Cobner is urging the clubs to attend the meeting.
“We are embracing the EGM as an opportunity to discuss important matters about the future of the game in Wales with our membership,” stated Cobner.
“We are calling on all member clubs to attend, either in person or virtually, so they can listen once again to our plans, but also so they can contribute openly and we can hear their views.
“We will also be prepared to host voting on the three resolutions that had been tabled should that be required.
“But, it is vitally important we hear from our full membership and we are looking forward to, at the very least, a healthy and constructive debate on this issue and others.
“We relish this chance for Welsh rugby to gather as one and hope member clubs are able to answer the call to attend in their numbers.”
The EGM at the Principality Stadium is scheduled to start at 18:00 (BST).
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