The move is a clear effort to try to ease mounting tensions ahead of the pivotal extraordinary general meeting, called by clubs to try and oust the current chairman.
Instead, that motion is now a paper tiger since Collier-Keywood will step down at the end of his current term in July 2026.
The announcement comes just a couple of weeks before the EGM on April 13, where member clubs are set to debate a series of motions — including one proposing a vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood.
By declaring his intention not to seek a second term, the governing body appears to be attempting to remove a flashpoint issue and steady the mood before what had threatened to become a fractious gathering.
Collier-Keywood, who became the WRU’s first independent chair in 2023 following sweeping governance reforms backed by 97 per cent of clubs, confirmed his decision publicly.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as the first independent WRU chair. My term as Chair comes to an end in July 2026 and I have been reflecting with the Board on what should happen next.
“We wanted to make this announcement to enable the recruitment process to start and before the EGM is held on 13 April 2026 so everyone goes into the EGM process with the benefit of the same knowledge.
“Over the course of the last few years, the new Board has made key decisions unanimously despite the very difficult choices we have had to face. I am fully committed to serving out the remainder of my term, subject of course, to the outcome of the EGM.
“The people I have had the pleasure of working with in the WRU and outside, and the importance of and passion for rugby in Wales, have been a source of continued inspiration to me in carrying out this role. I am pleased to leave with two Welsh head coaches in place with Steve Tandy and Sean Lynn and I am looking forward to watching from the terraces as our teams go from strength to strength.”
His controversial tenure has unfolded during one of the most turbulent periods in Welsh rugby history, marked by financial strain, unrelenting criticism and structural overhaul.
The shift to an independent board model — a significant break from tradition — was designed to modernise governance and restore credibility after a series of off-field controversies.
While results on the pitch have been mixed, the WRU leadership has pointed to progress behind the scenes, particularly in stabilising finances.
A refinancing deal has been presented as a key milestone in securing the game’s long-term sustainability, but the plan to cut from four to three professional teams remains massively unpopular.
Senior independent director Alison Thorne paid tribute to Collier-Keywood’s role.
"On behalf of the Board I want to thank Richard for his incredible hard work and dedication over the last three years. He can be very proud of integrating and leading a new board of elected members and independent non-executives to create a new strategy and direction for a sustainable rugby future in Wales.
"He inherited a very difficult financial position and an organisation with cultural problems. He has led from the front in terms of culture change and significantly improved our financial position culminating in the refinancing in January 2026 as a platform for future stability and growth. Richard has built a genuinely diverse board that brings together expertise from Welsh rugby, from business and from the communities we serve.”
Despite those endorsements, discontent among sections of the membership has persisted, with critics questioning both the pace of change and the direction of travel.
The upcoming EGM had been shaping as a referendum on Collier-Keywood’s leadership, but his decision to step aside next summer may now take some of the heat out of proceedings.
Attention will instead turn to the succession process, with the WRU pledging an open recruitment drive to identify its next independent chair.
The outcome of that search will be crucial in determining whether the governing body can maintain momentum in its reform programme — and whether Welsh rugby can move beyond a period of instability into a more settled future.
