WRU has ‘immense disconnect’ with fans, say MPs

The Welsh Rugby Union has been warned it is out of touch with fans after facing questions in parliament over its aims to cut a professional team.

Chair Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney were both quizzed on controversial plans to reduce the number of regional sides to three.

But they were given a stark message from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee after evidence was heard from supporters representing the four teams in the current set-up.

“By going down the path of losing a professional team, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) risks throwing the baby out with the bath water and alienating supporters,” a statement from the cross-party group read.

“There seems to be an immense disconnect between the WRU and fans. [They] need to do more to bring people with them and communicate that it has a vision for a successful future for Welsh rugby – from the grassroots through to the top of the professional game.”

The committee did acknowledge the financial challenges that the WRU has faced, with Collier-Keywood using the session to confirm a major restructuring of finances.

The WRU had taken out an £18m Covid support loan from the Welsh government in 2022, for which it subsequently appealed for an improvement in terms.

But a new £55m package – via banks HSBC and Goldman Sachs – will see the Welsh government loan and a separate commercial loan paid off.

“Neither of those two organisations would have invested in us if they’d had any concerns about our governance or the future plans that we’ve put forward to them – and I think that’s a real statement of positivity towards the future of Welsh rugby,” said Collier-Keywood, adding that the WRU now has a stronger “economic rock” to build from.

Faced with further questions on the matter, Collier-Keywood admitted he had to share a five-year plan to secure investment, but cutting a professional team was not a pre-requisite.

Nevertheless, both he and Tierney reiterated that their plan to invest in grassroots, pathways and infrastructure to improve the game would have to see a reduction in professional sides.

That included a pledge to avoid “another Cardiff” after the capital city club were forced into administration in April and subsequently taken over by the WRU.

The Union has now opted for a preferred bidder to buy Cardiff, understood to be Ospreys owners Y11, which has added significantly to the uncertainty surrounding the region.

It has included Swansea council saying it would explore legal action, with leader Rob Stewart telling BBC Wales he is set to meet WRU officials.

“We’ve sought further conversations with them but haven’t had any,” he said.

“Interestingly the threat of legal action by the council has seen the chief executive of the WRU and the Ospreys coming to see us, so we’re interested to hear what they’ll say.

“It doesn’t take a legal genius to know that the process the WRU has followed has been one that hasn’t been as successfully managed as it could be.”

Stewart says the St Helen’s redevelopment was not at risk because of the Y11 proposals.

“We’ve been clear, the cabinet made a decision and it’s actually more than £5m we’ve set aside to help redevelop the ground,” said Stewart.

“It is conditional on the Ospreys being one of the regions chosen to be permanent as part of the WRU’s new arrangements.”

A decision on which sides will remain is still to be officially made, with Tierney saying the WRU hoped to avoid a tender process for the three licences available.

Tierney played down the threat of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) being brought by member clubs when quizzed by Welsh politicians.

When asked if they believed they retained support from fans and players, Collier-Keywood replied: “Yes, we do, and we understand that it has been a time of turmoil and we’re both strong Welsh rugby union supporters, so we feel that as well – but unfortunately the rugby system was broken.

“The pathways were broken but we announced a way forward which includes an investment plan of £28m over five years to essentially fix that problem.

“We’re at the start of that.”

Fans representing all four of the current regions – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – also gave their thoughts later in the session, with criticism aimed at the union for its plans and approach.

Grant Berni, vice-chair of the Ospreys Supporters Club, warned the game in Wales may not recover from plans, adding: “The request to the WRU is please don’t manage our decline. It is our game.”