Welsh Rugby Clubs Urged to Call EGM and Vote No Confidence in WRU Chair Richard Collier-Keywood

Welsh rugby clubs are being urged to call an extraordinary general meeting of the Welsh Rugby Union and hold a vote of no confidence in chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

The move has been initiated by Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, which has written to clubs across Wales seeking support for an EGM. Around 10% of the WRU’s near-300 member clubs,­approximately 30 sides, are required to trigger such a meeting.

Central Glamorgan is proposing three motions, including votes of no confidence in Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall, who also sits on the WRU board. The district believes the current leadership has failed to deliver meaningful change following governance reforms approved at an EGM in 2023.

That meeting led to alterations in the WRU board structure and the appointment of its first independent chair, with Collier-Keywood taking up the role in July 2023. However, Central Glamorgan argues that more than two years on, Welsh rugby continues to suffer from uncertainty and a lack of clear strategic direction.

In its letter to clubs, the district says the leadership has been unable to develop and implement a coherent plan to support the professional, semi-professional, women’s and community games. It claims repeated shifts in strategy, heavy spending on external consultants and the absence of a defined long-term vision have caused confusion and reputational damage.

The letter states that Welsh rugby, once held in high regard inter­nati­onally, is now being undermined by instability at the top of the game. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the Covid period, Central Glamorgan says those difficulties no longer explain the lack of progress.

The WRU unveiled a new strategy in October proposing major changes to the domestic game, including reducing the number of men’s professional teams from four. That proposal has yet to be implemented, with further negotiations expected in the coming weeks.

Although clubs were given the opportunity to question WRU leaders at November’s annual general meeting, Central Glamorgan believes key concerns about leadership and direction were not properly addressed.

The district says an EGM is now the only mechanism available for clubs, as shareholders, to hold the WRU to account. It is encouraging clubs not only to back the call for a meeting, but also to consult their members and build wider support for what it describes as “necessary change” within the governing body.