Ieuan Evans appointed new chair of Welsh Rugby Union

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed the appointment of Ieuan Evans as the new chair taking over from Rob Butcher.

Evans has served as vice-chair since 2021 and was elected chair at a meeting convened on Monday with Butcher stepping down from the role after two years.

He also chairs the British and Irish Lions board and is expected to continue the role along with the new position with the WRU in tandem. He has scored 33 tries in an international career spanned across 11 years and was awarded MBE for services to rugby in 1996.

Evans was also inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007 and later into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014.

“It is a huge honour for me to take up the position of chair of the Welsh Rugby Union and I fully intend to repay member clubs and my fellow directors for the faith they have shown in me,” said Evans.

“We should continue to celebrate what we do best and we have much to be proud of in our community game, where our clubs are the hubs of the cities, towns and villages in which they reside. Just as we should continue to be ambitious and proud of our achievements in the professional game, but we also know we must evolve and progress.

“The Welsh Rugby Union has one central mission to ensure sustainability and success throughout our game and this will be my mantra in the days, weeks, months and years ahead."

Evans also acknowledged the challenges ahead after a dismal year for Wales as they managed a solitary win against Argentina in the autumn internationals from four matches. They also suffered first home defeats against Italy (Six Nations) and Georgia this year.

“If we stand still, we go backwards. Only by continued progress and evolution can we carry on punching above our weight on the world stage and commanding that very special place in Welsh hearts throughout the nation.

"We cannot take our standing in Wales and in the global game for granted. We must listen, we must effect change where necessary and we must continue to strive to be so much greater than the sum of our parts.

“Now is the time to push on, to consolidate all that is good about Welsh rugby and to strive for more.”