Rugby clubs formally call WRU Emergency General Meeting as MPs and council leader back vote of no confidence in chair
The requisition notice was submitted to the WRU on Sunday morning, marking a dramatic escalation in the battle over plans to reduce the number of professional Welsh regions from four to three – a move that could see the Ospreys forced out of professional rugby.
The EGM, which will be held after the conclusion of the men’s Six Nations next month, is expected to centre on a motion of no confidence in Collier-Keywood, who was appointed chair in 2023. The WRU now has 21 days to acknowledge and schedule the meeting.
Torsten Bell, Labour MP for Swansea West, said the EGM was “totally right” and urged all clubs to attend and vote for a change of leadership.
“The WRU are trying to shrink Welsh rugby and end professional rugby in Wales’s second city,” he said. “If this isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.”
Political pressure mounts
The move has won backing from across Swansea’s political establishment, with Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Swansea East, saying grassroots clubs “are the foundation of Welsh rugby” and their voices “matter”.
Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart revealed the main business of the EGM will be the removal of the WRU chair via a vote of no confidence, and urged clubs to “stop the WRU in their tracks, elect new leaders, and come together to form a new plan for a brighter more ambitious future for Welsh Rugby”.
Stewart, who hit out at the WRU with a “shame on you” message after thousands of seats lay empty for Wales’ defeat, said: “For weeks supporters, players and communities have been asking the WRU to put a stop to their chaotic plans. The WRU have arrogantly continued, ignoring pleas to change course.”
Last week, Swansea Council moved to seek an injunction to prevent the WRU agreeing a deal with Y11 – the current Ospreys owners – to purchase Cardiff Rugby. The council has also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to intervene.
Threshold met after Central Glamorgan letter
The EGM was triggered after the threshold of 10% of the WRU’s 283 community clubs putting in a request was met. This followed a letter from Central Glamorgan urging all clubs to express a desire in calling an EGM, amid widespread dismay over the WRU’s plans.
The move marks the latest sign of widespread anger towards the WRU, following their chaotic attempts to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales and to force the Ospreys out of the professional game without due process. Earlier this week, a business revolt saw former Principality COO mobilize an independent group to challenge WRU leadership.
It emerged that the WRU had lined up Y11 as the preferred bidders to purchase Cardiff Rugby, a move that would effectively end professional rugby in Swansea and consolidate ownership in the hands of the Ospreys’ current owners.
8,000 signatures and packed Brangwyn Hall
A joint petition from the Ospreys, Cardiff and Dragons supporters’ clubs has garnered more than 8,000 signatures to date, and recently over 500 fans packed into Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall to stand up for the Ospreys.
Torsten Bell said:
“For weeks supporters, players and communities have been asking the WRU to put a stop to their chaotic plans. But there are no signs they are listening. Grassroot clubs have now concluded that the only way to ensure the WRU changes course is to change the leadership. I agree.”
He added:
“I urge all clubs to attend the EGM, vote for a change of leadership and bring this chaos to an end.”
‘Transparency and clarity essential’
Carolyn Harris said the EGM “reflects the depth of feeling across our region about the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Ospreys and professional regional rugby in Neath and Swansea”.
She added:
“Grassroots clubs are the foundation of Welsh rugby. Their voices matter, and it is right that they are heard. At a time like this, transparency, clarity and proper engagement are essential. Our players, supporters and communities deserve nothing less.”
Rob Stewart said:
“While an injunction will prevent a deal being signed, an EGM gives the clubs the chance to make real and immediate change in the leadership and direction of the WRU.”
He added:
“The clubs can stop the WRU in their tracks, elect new leaders, and come together to form a new plan for a brighter more ambitious future for Welsh Rugby. They have my 100% support for this action.”
What happens next?
The WRU now has 21 days to acknowledge the requisition notice and schedule the EGM. The meeting is expected to take place after the conclusion of the Six Nations, which ends on March 15.
The vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood is likely to have huge ramifications for the WRU’s proposals to cut the number of Welsh regions to three. If successful, it could force a complete rethink of the union’s strategy and potentially save professional rugby in Swansea.
The crisis has seen interventions from Ospreys legends, actor Michael Sheen, former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, and MPs who accused the WRU of a “stitch-up”.
The EGM will give member clubs across Wales the opportunity to debate and vote on motions to change the WRU’s leadership and direction.
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