In an openly hostile and incendiary attack on those who have called for an emergency general meeting (EGM) to discuss the deepening crisis in the sport, the WRU executive have angrily berated their own member clubs.
Not only do they accuse the clubs of irresponsibility and of reaching for the “nuclear option”, but they openly question the motivations of those who have called for change.
In a letter sent to all 283 member clubs, the WRU’s most senior figures — president Terry Cobner, independent chair Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney — have sought to shut down a growing grassroots revolt led by Central Glamorgan Rugby Union.
That district has been urging clubs to trigger an EGM in order to challenge the union’s leadership and halt controversial plans to reshape the professional game.
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The scolding tone of the WRU’s response is striking. Rather than conciliatory the governing body has reached for language more commonly associated with corporate warfare, repeatedly framing the EGM proposal as reckless, destabilising and potentially ruinous.
It has been met with a mixture of anger and disbelief among clubs, leading figures within the game, as well as from supporters.
Wales legend Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies posted on social media: “The lack of humility is astounding!!”
That tweet was reposted by Dragons co-owner David Buttress, who also re-posted another that said: “This is absolutely insane from the WRU. A £100 million + business with the corporate governance and public relations of a 5 year old who didn't get their own way. It's almost criminal.”
Another fan posted: “What the WRU are doing is so completely offensive.
They've missed every deadline they themselves have imposed, now they criticise others for calling for them to be accountable? I'm disgusted.”
The WRU's astonishing letter states: “Raising concerns via an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is an irresponsible first nuclear option which will cause significant damage to Welsh rugby,”
“It exists as an option but we would suggest only as a last resort, if all other routes have been exhausted.”
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The warning comes after Central Glamorgan Rugby Union circulated its own letter last week, asking clubs to back three motions that would force an EGM.
The most explosive of those motions calls for a vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood and Malcolm Wall, the chair of the Professional Rugby Board.
The district also wants fresh elections for four elected board members within 14 days of any EGM, and constitutional changes to how WRU district and council members are elected.
Around 10% of clubs — roughly 30 — are required to support the call to trigger an EGM, but Central Glamorgan has encouraged a much broader show of support to send what it describes as a clear message that “change is needed”.
Those proposals sit against the backdrop of profound turmoil in Welsh rugby.
The WRU executive has announced plans to radically restructure the professional game, but they have been ripped up and changed three times.
They have gone from insisting four teams was the right number, to four with unequal funding, to two teams, before switching to three teams.
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The moves have sparked widespread anger, uncertainty over jobs and contracts, an exodus of top players, and fears for the long-term health of the sport.
Central Glamorgan has gone further, proposing an immediate halt to the WRU’s professional restructuring plans, a full review of WRU finances, the creation of a rugby steering group to reduce reliance on consultants, and the establishment of a central national academy within three months.
But in its letter, the WRU does not simply reject those ideas — it questions the motives behind them.
“We want to raise this, as it goes to motive, and raises questions on why the individuals involved have chosen not to use the routes available to them and instead have gone straight to an EGM,” the governing body writes, noting that it had received no questions on the same topics at the AGM less than two months ago.
“This is not the moment to gamble with Welsh rugby’s future,” the WRU warns, insisting the sport is at a “critical moment” after what it describes as decades of structural failure.
The union claims that, under the new governance structure introduced in 2023, it has already achieved a dramatic turnaround. It highlights financial performance figures, stating that earnings (EBITDA) for the year to June 2025 rose to £32.8m, “all of which is reinvested back into rugby in Wales”.
The letter also points to what it calls “the largest consultation in Welsh rugby history” and a strategic plan for professional and elite rugby published in October 2025. That plan, it says, was unanimously backed by the board and reflects club feedback prioritising pathways, academies and coaching.
“These pillars are not optional,” the letter insists. “They are the foundation for a sustainable future for Welsh rugby – balanced across community, professional and international rugby.”
The WRU argues that the proposed EGM motions would have severe consequences.
According to the letter, they would “halt the professional game restructuring creating prolonged uncertainty for players, staff, volunteers, sponsors, supporters and community rugby all over Wales”.
Even more starkly, it warns that governance upheaval could “risk the loss of new banking facilities, financial support from grant makers and money from sponsors and business partners”, relationships it says have been built on trust over the past two years.
The letter also pushes back on criticism over the delayed publication of the union’s annual accounts, which were not released until November 2025.
While apologising for the delay, the WRU details auditing complexities and major financial negotiations it says were taking place at the same time, and offers further briefing sessions to clubs later this month.
Despite its aggressive language, the letter ends with an appeal for unity — though even this is framed in urgent, almost admonishing terms.
“We ask all stakeholders to work with us, not against us and each other,” it concludes. “Positive change is challenging, but it is essential for the long-term health of Welsh rugby. We have a plan. It was shaped by you. It is published. Let’s deliver it together.”
Whether that message resonates with an increasingly restless club game remains to be seen.
But the tone of the WRU’s response — openly accusing its own members of recklessness, questioning their motives, and warning of catastrophic consequences — marks a dramatic escalation in a power struggle that now appears to be heading towards open confrontation.
