Dragons quit WRU meeting and refuse to sign up to ‘not viable’ pro plan

The WRU announced plans to cut to three teams on 24 October after a consultation period on previous proposals to go down to as few as two.

The governing body then held talks with all the professional clubs and Dragons state that they expected a “constructive and meaningful” engagement.

“Under the current WRU proposals professional clubs would have no control over rugby decisions including coaching, player recruitment and selection,” read a club statement.

“For Dragons RFC this is not viable or desirable, but we have consistently sought a constructive discussion on how to improve the Union’s plans.”

“Shortly after the meeting started, it became clear and apparent that the WRU was not inclined to make amendments to their proposed governance arrangements. We therefore left the meeting soon after.

“In short, nothing had changed, the WRU was still insisting on controlling all rugby related matters and demanding that they directly employ all players, coaches and all support staff.

“Central management by the WRU of all rugby operations is not acceptable, nor is it in the interests of club owners, who expect to be fully responsible and accountable for rugby operations, a key and fundamental element of the club and business we bought.”

Dragons say they are also unhappy with “a new set of financial commitments demanded from owners… which are both unacceptable and off-market” that they had been unaware of prior to receiving documents from the WRU on 6 November.