'Rebuilding trust' a priority - WRU chair
· Yahoo Sports
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has told politicians it will aim to rebuild trust across Welsh rugby following concerns about controversial plans to cut a men's professional team.
Delyth Jewell MS wrote to WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood after he appeared before the Senedd's sport and culture committee in February.
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Committee chair Jewell stated the WRU "lost the argument" over the future of the professional game, saying Welsh rugby is in a "perilous state"."
Jewell urged the governing body to find an alternative approach or risk "losing the soul" of Welsh rugby.
Now Collier-Keywood has written back to the committee in a letter released on Friday evening before Wales' final Six Nations game against Italy.
Collier-Keywood insists the WRU will stick to their policies but knows they need to do much more to persuade a sceptical Welsh rugby public their plans are correct.
"Rebuilding trust across Welsh rugby is a priority for us," said Collier-Keywood.
Collier-Keywood stated the union "regret the uncertainty our plan currently causes amongst our community".
"We respect ownership and pride people throughout Wales feel in our game, but change is difficult and disruption is unavoidable if we are to achieve our aims," he added.
"Our shared goal is to ensure the game's heart and soul remain strong as we make the necessary changes for a sustainable, prosperous future."
'Why reducing a side is right thing to do'
The governing body intends to reduce the number of men's professional sides from to three, with one club in the east of Wales, one in Cardiff and one in the west.
This plan has sparked turmoil, protests and legal action with the decision to move to three teams being heavily criticised.
"I acknowledge concerns raised regarding our proposal to reduce the number of professional regional teams from four to three," said Collier-Keywood.
"The WRU's leadership remains confident the strategy shaped by our consultation – centred on a three professional club model with substantial investment in player development – is the right path to ensure long-term stability and success for Welsh rugby."
Collier-Keywood said the restructure was only one element of "the transformation of the game in Wales" the union has planned.
"We are taking difficult decisions but acting responsibly to protect the community game, invest in pathways and deliver increased success across all aspects of the men's and women's elite game," he continued.
"We are implementing a plan which has been agreed by our whole board unanimously after extensive consultation.
"Moving from four professional men's teams to three, while investing over £20m in pathways, academies, coaching and women's game across the next five years."
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Plan B claim and mandate for change
Jewell also criticised the WRU consultation process that has been put forward as a mandate for change.
"The consultation exercise was broad, comprehensive and meaningful," said Collier-Keywood.
"The original consultation proposal to reduce to two teams was revised to a three-club plan after the consultation, based on supporters' and clubs' concerns about regional heritage and player pathways.
"The consultation, contrary to the assertion in your letter, produced an overriding consensus for change. Our challenge has been how to effect that change."
When he spoke at the committee meeting, Collier-Keywood said the WRU had no "plan B" for professional rugby.
That assertion created headlines and disturbed the Senedd committee.
In his letter to Jewell, Collier-Keywood said: "You expressed concern at the conversation about a potential 'plan B'.
"Our response to this question was intended to assure you we remain committed to our current plan.
"There are alternatives we have discussed but none that achieve the aims and ambitions we have within our resource and means available.
"We are focused on getting this plan right but are not complacent and maintain a risk register, continually assessing potential scenarios as part of our planning."
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No-confidence vote at EGM and WRU conflict with Swansea Council
The WRU faces an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called by member clubs with Collier-Keywood facing a vote of no-confidence.
"We will continue to abide by decisions agreed by our member clubs in accordance with our constitution, working collaboratively with our rugby family," said Collier-Keywood.
"We must also lead and act in the best interests of the whole game."
Collier-Keywood accepts the WRU will not convince everybody.
"We are aware there will always be factions who do not agree with decisions we are making and our direction of travel," said Collier-Keywood.
"Welsh rugby is at a crossroads. Change is difficult, but essential for the long-term success and health of the game."
One of the WRU's most staunch opponents are Swansea council with Ospreys due to move into a £5m redeveloped St Helen's stadium.
The WRU's decision to name Ospreys owner Y11 Sport & Media as the preferred bidder to buy Cardiff has created controversy.
As a result, Ospreys fans and staff have been left fearing they will be the professional team culled, with Swansea council claiming they were told of that exact scenario by WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley at a meeting in January.
While the meeting was meant to be confidential, Swansea council today said it had no alternative but to provide a version of what they say happened.
This followed comments by the WRU chief executive earlier this week in which she said no decision on Ospreys' professional future had been taken, a claim Swansea council dispute.
Council leader Rob Stewart has again called for the resignation of Tierney, who in turn says the notes published by the council are not "an accurate reflection of what she said" and her "own comments, published without her consent, made clear she did not say what was purported".
Swansea council has also begun formal legal proceedings against the WRU in a bid to stop the proposed sale of Cardiff to Y11, which they claim breaches UK competition law.