WRU to present 'optimal solution’ for Welsh rugby restructure, says Abi Tierney
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney says the union will reveal what it believes is the optimal structure for Welsh rugby later this month
©PA
Welsh rugby faces a big few weeks as WRU chief executive Abi Tierney confirmed that the governing body will deliver its "optimal solution" which could help to reshape the professional game in Wales.
The game in Wales has been in decline for several years, with a sharp drop in success at international level over the last 18 months bringing the issues into sharper focus.
One of the biggest decisions on the table will be the future number of professional clubs, with the current four potentially being reduced to three, or even two.
WRU’s Next Steps in the Restructure Process
A formal document will be presented by the WRU executive team to the board before a six-week consultation period begins. This will involve engagement with clubs, coaches, supporter groups and politicians.
"We are going to have a consultation a week after next," Tierney said last Thursday. "We will be going out with an analysis of what we think the current challenges are.
"You want to consult on an option rather than just go out there with everybody having a view on it. Whilst we say what we think is the optimal solution, we haven’t made a final decision and we’re up to be challenged but then we’ll have six weeks where we really listen and engage.
"We’re following best practices that you go out with a preferred solution, you explain why it should be the preferred solution and then people have a chance to challenge that and question it.
"It's more the number [of clubs] and principles we are going to be consulting on, not where the teams are based or which teams they should be.
“We’re focusing on what is required, given all of the headwinds we’re facing, to put Welsh rugby back to winning, and what will that take."
Four Main Options Being Considered by the WRU
With tensions in the Welsh professional game at an all-time high, Tierney confirmed that the union is examining several scenarios:
“We’re looking at potentially the four options that we analyse but there’s lots of permutations on it," Tierney added.
"Do you go to a differentiated funding model so you keep the number of clubs, but you have some funded less than others? Do you go to three clubs? Do you go to two clubs? Do you go to a 3+1 or a 2+1?
"We’ve also looked at the pathways and what we need to do with the pathways, and we’ve also looked at actually rugby alignment.
"One of the things that has struck me, and I spoke a lot about it, we really struggle with rugby alignment. I remember talking to Matt Sherratt after the Six Nations and him saying how hard he found bringing a cohesive team together, because it wasn’t a common DNA so how do we build that rugby alignment and rugby leadership? How do we work much better as a system?"
United Rugby Championship Commitment Despite Falling Crowds
Debate continues over whether the professional teams should remain in the United Rugby Championship (URC), with some fans preferring a return to matches against English opposition.
Despite declining attendances at the regional level, Tierney confirmed that the URC remains central to the WRU’s plans.
"Fans are so important to this, but it's not working at the moment. We've got to come up with something that wins the hearts and minds of fans back.
"We are already losing fans. Every year, the number attending the regional clubs is going down. It's the challenge we are facing so we need to do something different on that. To me, [the threat of losing fans], it's a bit of a red herring question.
"If we do change the club structure - and it's a big if - what are the brands we want to associate with and how do we bring the fans along with us? “We absolutely have to look at all of that as part of the transition and the process.
"They [URC] are another one we are consulting with because any change to our structure, we will need their consent to make that change as quickly as possible. If you do announce you are going to change, then clubs become unstable.”
Potential Threat from Rebel R360 League
Another factor in the WRU’s planning is the proposed R360 league, involving Mike Tindall and former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper.
Last week, The Telegraph reported that four leading South African players had committed to the proposed global league, along with 10 players who have previously represented England.
“We spent a lot of time on that in Australia," Tierney continued. "We don’t have a formal position yet, because we’re not even clear what it’s going to look like.
"I think right at the heart of what we want to do is we want to put stability into this so we keep players in Wales and that’s why we’re doing this at pace and within a level of intensity because contracts start to be talked about in October and R360, their aim is to be up and running by next summer.
“You know, it might not happen but we’re better off planning for it to happen and make sure we do our best to respond to that."
Scarlets Investment Deal and Ospreys Development
In a week of significant off-field developments, the Scarlets confirmed that US-based House of Luxury intends to acquire a 55% stake in the club.
On the HOL board are former WRU CEO David Moffett and former Wales and British & Irish Lion outside half Dan Biggar.
Moffett previously oversaw the introduction of the regional system in the early 2000s following financial strain in the Welsh club game.
Meanwhile, the Ospreys received planning permission from Swansea Council to redevelop St. Helen’s.
