Cardiff Rugby has passed into the control of the Welsh Rugby Union after the club’s parent company, Cardiff Rugby Limited, was temporarily placed into administration.
The move follows the failure of the club’s majority owner, Helford Capital, to meet its financial commitments.
In a swift intervention, the WRU purchased Cardiff’s business and assets from the appointed administrators, PwC, securing the club’s future in the short term and ensuring that its participation in the United Rugby Championship and Super Rygbi Cymru competitions remains uninterrupted.
“It is unthinkable for us to allow the demise of professional rugby in the Welsh capital,” said WRU chief executive Abi Tierney.
“There has been no hesitation for the WRU as we quickly moved to pull a rescue package together.”
The WRU stressed that all playing staff, employees, and matchday operations will continue as normal.
Prepaid tickets for the current and 2025-26 seasons will be honoured, along with all sponsorship agreements paid in advance.
“Our first concerns are with the players, staff and supporters,” Tierney added. “They can be assured professional rugby will continue at Cardiff Arms Park.”
The takeover comes just 16 months after Cardiff appeared to secure financial stability when Helford Capital, led by businessmen Phil Kempe and Neal Griffith, acquired an 84.55% stake in the club.
Despite early optimism, the ownership was unable to meet its contractual funding obligations.
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Rob Lewis, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said: “We are delighted to have completed this transaction which provides the opportunity for a period of stability for professional rugby in Cardiff.
“The structure of the transaction means that the club will be able to continue to trade seamlessly under new ownership and fulfil its playing obligations… with minimum disruption to players and fans.”
The WRU views Cardiff as essential to its national rugby ambitions and its ‘One Wales’ strategy, with Tierney emphasising the club’s key role in the player development pathway and wider community outreach.
“Cardiff has always been a major contributor to our player pathway and is critical to the success of our One Wales strategy both on and off the field,” she said.
“In the coming months we will be actively seeking investors who wish to play their part in ensuring this is achieved and Cardiff returns to the top table of club rugby.”
Despite the positive outcome, there has been a toll on Cardiff’s leadership. Former chair Alun Jones, who stepped down as a result of the administration process, expressed both sorrow and relief.
“I’m devastated,” said Jones. “There’s no other way of describing it, it’s an awful situation. I’m relieved and so pleased for the staff, the club and the players... but I’ll go away and reflect.”
Chief executive Richard Holland, now transferred to the WRU as an employee, admitted the situation had taken a toll on him personally and professionally.
“I haven't considered it, my main priority is to protect the staff,” said Holland when asked whether he would resign.
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“That’s a very good question. It’s been tough. I’ll reflect, sit down, chat to Abi and Richard, and do what’s right for the club and myself.”
WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood confirmed the union’s intent to run Cardiff as an independent subsidiary, stating: “Abi will consider how we structure this subsidiary going forwards. I want to stress our broad intention is to operate this as an independent subsidiary.”
Cardiff’s survival also ensures stability for the wider Welsh professional game, as the WRU moves forward with a new Professional Rugby Agreement involving all four pro teams—Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets, and Ospreys—as part of its vision for long-term reform.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Welsh Rugby Union for securing our financial stability and ensuring professional rugby continues in Cardiff as we approach our 150th season,” said Jones.
While the immediate crisis has been averted, the road ahead involves rebuilding trust, attracting new investment, and returning the capital’s club to its former status.
