Twenty jobs could go as part of WRU restructure

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced up to 20 roles will be cut as it implements a restructure aimed at saving £5m a year.

It said the “transformative programme” would involve savings and efficiencies in the business and would allow the governing body to operate” in a manner befitting of a £100m-a-year business”.

The organisation which employs 344 people added it has entered a formal consultation period with staff.

It comes after the WRU announced on Wednesday it had agreed to buy Cardiff Rugby, one of the four regional Welsh sides, after it collapsed into administration earlier this week.

Abi Tierney, the WRU’s chief executive, said everything it is doing is to “improve rugby in Wales for everyone”.

She added that last summer, the company confirmed where it wants to be by 2029 and today “we are giving further details of how we are going to get there”.

While the game turned professional in 1995, Ms Tierney said 2025 would be “the moment we remember Welsh rugby completed this transformation, into a fully functional, fit-for-purpose, professional organisation”.

The streamlined executive team will shortly include a chief growth officer, while the identity of an executive director of elite performance will also be confirmed soon.

The WRU said it expects club boards to approve a new professional rugby agreement soon, which will set out funding and closer teamwork between themselves and the regional teams.

Ms Tierney said the changes were part of the WRU’s One Wales strategy, which aims to make the professional game financially stable.

She added: “Integral to our plans is a need to stop living beyond our means and ensuring we can invest in the key elements that contribute to a thriving rugby nation.

“This has led to the re-set at the WRU we are announcing today.”

Ms Tierney said the organisation had invested in key areas to support growth as it completed its transformation programme.

However, she added, “Regrettably, there were also a small number of job losses.”

In its latest accounts, the WRU reported a £7.5 million loss for the year ending June 2024.

Even though revenue increased – which was helped by the Principality Stadium hosting Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen – it wasn’t enough for the union to turn a profit.

A string of losses for the men’s team and the departure of the national coach added to a difficult year.

During that time, Abi Tierney and other senior WRU leaders were dealing with multiple crises while trying to restructure the organisation.

Ms Tierney was praised for her collaborative approach, especially in bringing in Cardiff Rugby coach Matt Sherratt to temporarily lead the national team after Warren Gatland’s departure.

But the collaboration with Cardiff now extends to complete control, after the union stepped in to rescue the club from administration.

It is understood Ms Tierney and her advisors worked intensely with Cardiff Rugby as its financial distress became clear, and quickly moved to reassure the region that the WRU would prevent it from disappearing for good.