Entire WRU board doubles down on plans and Y11 deal after finding 'debilitating' mess
The Welsh Rugby Union has tried to improve relations with its member clubs as it faces protests and a possible EGM
The entire Welsh Rugby Union board has written a letter to every club in Wales amid the ongoing threat of an EGM, insisting they are making the right choices for the future of the game.
The letter claims the unanimous decision to accept Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media's bid for Cardiff was done purely on merit, with independent external input sought.
The Union also says it "remains committed to representative rugby throughout Wales, including in Swansea and north Wales", despite the Ospreys region seemingly being on the brink of disappearing.
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More is expected to become clear in the coming days, with Swansea Council set to publish minutes of a meeting held with WRU CEO Abi Tierney and Ospreys chief Lance Bradley, in which the council claims it was made clear there is "no viable future" for the Ospreys.
The decision to pursue a deal with Y11 has sparked anger among fans of Ospreys and Cardiff, with supporters protesting ahead of the Ospreys v Dragons derby match last weekend.
Shouts of "shame on you" could be heard, while WRU board member Jamie Roberts, who was working as a pundit for S4C, was booed by some.
The union admits it has work to do to build trust and reconnect with clubs and fans after a bruising few years that have seen one issue after another envelop the game.
In the letter to member clubs, enough of who have now indicated their support for an EGM to make it a strong possibility after the Six Nations, the WRU board said it inherited a "debilitating" situation from past regimes when it was appointed in January 2024.
The board says it was faced with a "financial crisis", including breaches of banking covenants (rules and agreements which, when broken, have meant restrictions have been placed on the WRU in the past, limiting its financial agility). The letter also tells clubs the pathways system was broken, women's players were not treated correctly and governance and behaviour at the organisation had to change.
It claims significant financial strides have now been made, increasing earnings by 35% in the year to 30 June 2025, enabling the repayment of the Welsh Government Covid loan and the refinancing of debt through two international lenders, Goldman Sachs and HSBC, which it says secures future financial support for Welsh rugby.
As for the pro game, the Union says it had to step in to save Cardiff and stave off potential financial penalties for being unable to fulfil its competition obligations to the URC and media partners in the middle of a season.
The letter states: "Following the largest consultation in Welsh sporting history, the message from across the men’s game was clear: significant change is needed if Welsh rugby is to have a strong and sustainable future. During the consultation, views differed, loyalties ran deep, and emotions ran high, which speaks to just how much people care. As a Board, our responsibility was to listen, to weigh those views carefully, and to reach decisions that best serve the long-term health of the whole game in Wales.
"That has led us to a clear direction for the men’s professional game, much of which is aligned with the recommendations of previous studies and reports:
• properly funding three professional teams to increase competitiveness and cohesion whilst maintaining sufficient opportunities for Welsh talent
• focusing on bringing more Welsh talent home to play in Wales; and
• rebuilding the pathway by reconnecting professional rugby with our communities, through a national academy, better supported SRC teams, and player development centres across the country, serving both our men’s and women’s game, underpinned by a much-needed increased investment in coaching.
"We have consistently said our strong preference is to implement the future shape of the professional game by reaching consensus, rather than impose outcomes through a tender process.
"This has included the process of moving from four to three properly funded professional clubs. Understandably, there has been considerable debate and speculation around Cardiff Rugby and the Y11 bid.
"For clarity, it would have been easier in the short term for the Union to withdraw support from Cardiff Rugby, but for rugby and commercial reasons we believe Welsh rugby needs a strong team in the capital.
"We have since also stated the need for strong teams also in both the East and West of Wales.
"The Board unanimously chose Y11 on its merits as the strongest bid for Cardiff, supported by independent external input. The Board remains committed to representative rugby across all of Wales, including North Wales and the city of Swansea, following this decision."
The letter concludes with an acknowledgement the Union's communication with clubs must improve going forward.
It adds: "We understand the uncertainty of recent months has been unsettling, particularly for clubs who already carry so much responsibility. We are working to conclude the sale of Cardiff Rugby and to secure a sustainable, long-term funding model for our professional clubs via consensus, and we commit to keeping you informed as this work progresses.
"Throughout all of this, your Board has been united, not just in its decisions, but in a shared belief that Welsh rugby is strongest when we pull together, with mutual respect from grassroots to elite level.
"We would also like to thank all the Clubs and Districts who welcomed us as Board members to your January meetings wherever possible. We were grateful for the openness of those conversations, for the chance to answer questions directly, and for the support we received. One clear and consistent message we heard was the need to improve how we communicate and stay connected as a Union.
"In response, we are pleased to confirm that we will be introducing a new regular communication for all members, keeping you up-to-date and sharing news right across the game in Wales."
The letter is signed by all 12 of the WRU board members: Amanda Bennett; Terry Cobner (President); Richard Collier-Keywood, Chair; Claire Donovan; Chris Jones; John Manders; Jennifer Mathias; Jamie Roberts; Alison Thorne; Abi Tierney, CEO; Malcolm Wall; Colin Wilks; Andrew Williams.