Welsh Rugby Union: District calls for EGM to be called off

Calls for the EGM also followed the WRU’s controversial plans to cut the number of professional teams from four to three by June 2027.

That proposal has been met with criticism, protests and legal action from both Scarlets and Swansea Council.

The potential impact of the latest development on the WRU’s plans to cut a team were not directly addressed in the letter sent by CGRU, but the district urged the WRU to pause their plans for the professional game.

An alternative plan to try and keep four teams has been put forward by former chief operating officer of Principality Building Society Rob Regan.

The CGRU letter said: “While there is still much work to do in order to rebuild trust between the WRU board and the member clubs, significant progress can be made.

“We look forward to engaging with the leadership on the future of Welsh rugby and the best way forward for all stakeholders, including the future of the Ospreys, and request the WRU board engage with Rob Regan and his team and pause their plans on the professional game and publish all the evidence before any decisions are made.”

CGRU thanked the clubs for their support as they stood to “safeguard the game in Wales”.

The letter continued: “We are still in a critical moment for Welsh rugby, but we hope we can have renewed engagement with the leadership, and that our voice is never ignored again.

“We hope all member clubs take great confidence we still have a voice and we are proud of how clubs from across Wales have come together to protect the game we all love and we don’t have to use an EGM again as an avenue for our voices to be heard.

“We are seeking that there will also be a commitment to more openness, respect and transparency with our elected Council members who are there as our representatives.”