View source for Welsh Rugby Union

{{Short description|Governing body of rugby union in Wales}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{National rugby union
| unionname = Welsh Rugby Union
| nativename = Undeb Rygbi Cymru
| logo = Welsh Rugby Union logo.svg
| logosize = 100px
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1881}}
| IRB = 1886 (founder)
| region = [[Rugby Europe]]
| regionyear = 1999
| patron = [[William, Prince of Wales]]
| president = [[Terry Cobner]]
| coach = [[Steve Tandy]]
| Assistant coach = 
| womenscoach = [[Sean Lynn (rugby union)|Sean Lynn]]
| countryflag = Wales
| url = {{URL|www.wru.wales}}
| chairman = Richard Collier-Keywood
| Chief executive officer = [[Abi Tierney]]
}}
The '''Welsh Rugby Union''' ('''WRU'''; {{langx|cy|Undeb Rygbi Cymru}}) is the [[Sports governing body|governing body]] of [[rugby union]] in the country of [[Wales]], recognised by the sport's international governing body, [[World Rugby]].<ref name="CCC 10">{{cite web|url=http://www.sports-council-wales.org.uk/grants-funding/funding/list-of-bodies |title=Governing Bodies of Sport-Sports Council for Wales |work=Sport Wales Chwaraeon Cymru website |publisher=[[Sport Wales]] |year=2007 |access-date=26 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015213305/http://www.sports-council-wales.org.uk/grants-funding/funding/list-of-bodies |archive-date=15 October 2008 }}</ref>

The WRU is responsible for the running of rugby in Wales, overseeing 320 member clubs, the [[Wales national rugby union team|Welsh national team]] and [[WRU National Leagues|National Leagues]] and Cups. The WRU is headed by the President ([[Terry Cobner]]), chairman (Richard Collier-Keywood) and CEO ([[Abi Tierney]]).

==History==
[[Image:CastleHotelNeath.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Castle Hotel, [[Neath]], where the WRU was founded.]]
The roots of the Welsh Rugby Union lay in the creation of the South Wales Football Union (SWFU) in September 1875; formed, "...with the intention of playing matches with the principal clubs in the West of England and the neighbourhood. The rugby rules will be the code adopted.{{sfn|Smith|1980|page=31}} The South Wales Football Club was superseded in 1878 by the South Wales Football Union in an attempt to bring greater regulation to the sport and to select representatives from club sides to represent the international game. The SWFU though were poorly organised, and although they arranged fixtures between a South Wales team and various English clubs, they were often victims of fixture-clashes and were accused of lacking energy. In 1880, [[Richard Mullock]], secretary of the Newport Athletic Club, decided to take matters into his own hands and without the backing of the SWFU organised an international match against [[England national rugby union team|England]].

The [[1880–81 Home Nations rugby union matches|match]] took place on 19 February 1881, and was won by England seven goals, one dropped goal and six tries to nil. This heavy defeat lay the seeds for further reforms that would lead to the creation of the WRU.{{sfn|Smith|1980|pages=34-40}}

Currently, there is confusion regarding the official date of creation of the Welsh Rugby Union. In March 1880 nine teams supposedly met at the Tenby Hotel, [[Swansea]] with the intent of creating a new union. These teams are thought to have been, [[Cardiff RFC]], [[Chepstow RFC]], [[Haverfordwest RFC]], [[Llandaff RFC]], [[Llanelli RFC]], [[Neath RFC]], [[Newport RFC]], [[Pontypridd RFC]] and [[Swansea RFC]]. The issue with accepting this meeting is that there is no written evidence, just oral repetition.{{sfn|Smith|1980|page=37}}

On 12 March 1881, eleven clubs met in the Castle Hotel, [[Neath]] to form what would be accepted as a Welsh rugby union. After a humiliating defeat in the first Wales international rugby game, the Neath meeting was organised by Mullock to form a union that could organise regular international matches. The founding clubs of the Welsh Football Union (WFU), as it was originally known, were [[Swansea RFC|Swansea C & FC]], [[Pontypool RFC]], [[Newport RFC]], [[Merthyr RFC]], [[Llanelli RFC]], [[Bangor RFC]], [[Brecon RFC]], [[Cardiff RFC]], [[Lampeter Town RFC|Lampeter RFC]], [[Llandovery RFC]] and [[Llandeilo RFC]].{{sfn|Smith|1980|page=41}} Strangely the oldest rugby club in Wales, [[Neath RFC]] are not recorded as being present, even though the meeting took place in the town of Neath. It is unknown if this was an oversight by the committee to record the presence of the club, or if Neath RFC actually did not attend. The fact that two of the main committee members of the SWFU, [[John Talbot Dillwyn Llewellyn|John Llewellyn]] and [[Samuel Clark (rugby union)|Sam Clark]] were Neath men, and the creation of the WFU disbanded their union, is generally accepted as the reason for the absence of a Neath representative.{{sfn|Smith|1980|page=42-43}}

The WRU was a founding member of the International Rugby Football Board, now known as [[World Rugby]], in 1886 with [[Scottish Rugby Union|Scotland]] and [[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]], with Mullock and [[Horace Lyne]] the Welsh representatives at the formal signing of the union in 1887.

It was not until 1934 that the current name, the Welsh Rugby Union, was adopted.{{sfn|Smith|1980|page=45}}

==Responsibilities==
[[Image:MillenniumStadiumExterior.jpg|thumb|right|Exterior of the [[Millennium Stadium]], Cardiff, where the Wales national team play all their home games]]
The WRU are responsible for the running of Welsh rugby, including 320 member clubs, the [[Wales national rugby union team|Welsh national team]] and [[WRU National Leagues|National Leagues]] and Cups. The Welsh Rugby Union has a major role in the development of coaches, referees and players throughout all ages for both men and women. They also own the home of Welsh rugby union, the 74,500 capacity [[Millennium Stadium]], Cardiff, "an icon of the modern Wales".<ref name="WRU 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/14148.php|title=WRU: History of the Welsh Rugby Union: A Brief History|work=Welsh Rugby Union website|publisher=Welsh Rugby Union|year=2009|access-date=16 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814113115/http://www.wru.co.uk/14148.php|archive-date=14 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="WRU 4">{{cite web|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/14196.php|title=WRU:Structure of the Welsh Rugby Union:Board of Millennium Stadium plc|work=Welsh Rugby Union website|publisher=Welsh Rugby Union|year=2009|access-date=16 July 2009}}</ref>

After the national team the next highest level of representation in Wales is the four regions based around top club sides, but representing a larger area. These regions [[Introduction of regional rugby union teams in Wales|came into being]] in 2003 when the WRU elected to reduce the current top tier of Welsh professional rugby union from nine clubs into five regions modelled on the successful Irish provinces and the [[Super Rugby]] franchises in South Africa, Australia and [[New Zealand]]. The WRU had hoped to reduce the teams to four regions but Cardiff and Llanelli successfully argued for stand-alone status. After one year the [[Celtic Warriors]] region was closed down and the four surviving regional clubs are [[Cardiff Blues]], [[Scarlets]], [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] and [[Dragons (rugby union)|Newport Gwent Dragons]]. They play in the [[Pro14]], [[European Professional Club Rugby]] ([[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]] and [[European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]) and [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]] competitions. Each region may call up players from a set of club teams within their area. These top club sides play in the 14-strong [[Welsh Premier Division]].

In August 2008 WRU chief Roger Lewis confirmed that the body was looking at a proposal to reinstate a fifth Welsh region, based in North Wales.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7562575.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=WRU considers north Wales region | date=15 August 2008}}</ref> Lewis admitted that he regretted the decision in 2004 to close down [[Celtic Warriors]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=15009 |title=Rugby World Cup 2011 the Unofficial Rugby World cup website |website=www.worldcupweb.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001135134/http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=15009 |archive-date=1 October 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2008 a new North Wales Rugby development team was announced, likely to be based in [[Wrexham]];<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/wru-plan-for-northern-development-team-923786.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=WRU plan for northern development team | date=9 September 2008}}</ref> ultimately, the team was launched as [[RGC 1404]], and was to be based in [[Colwyn Bay]] instead of Wrexham. In the same month Llanelli Scarlets changed their name to simply [[Scarlets]], believing the new name would better represent their region beyond [[Llanelli]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/llanelli_scarlets/7610188.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Scarlets drop Llanelli from name | date=11 September 2008}}</ref>

==Rugby Services Agreement==
The current '''Rugby Services Agreement''' ''(or RSA)'' has been in place since 28 August 2014, and will be in place between the union and the four Welsh regions ([[Cardiff Blues]], [[Dragons (rugby union)|Newport Gwent Dragons]], [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]] and [[Scarlets]]) for six years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wru.wales/news/latest-news/|title=Latest News|website=Welsh Rugby Union &#124; Wales & Regions|access-date=29 November 2024|archive-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219034444/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/32528.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The RSA delivers £8.7million a year to the Regions guaranteed to be spent on Welsh qualified players with a complex matrix of funding, also guaranteeing a further £3.6million in loan facilities from the WRU repayable during the term of the RSA. Each Region also receives a one-off £500,000 payment on signature of the new RSA.

The new agreement also allows players to be offered a National Dual Contract (NDC), which means the union will pay 60% of a NDC player's salary and their region 40%. They also become available for all Welsh senior matches, despite if the match falls outside [[World Rugby]]'s international release windows in June and November. The WRU retained the right to play up to 13 senior international games each year with a 13-day release facility for squad training before the Six Nations and Autumn series games. The new agreement does state that the national team head coach, currently [[Warren Gatland]], will be the sole person to decide who gets a National Dual Contract, with a long-term aim of only selecting players based in Wales. The limit on foreign players in regional squads has been capped at a maximum of six while each region will be allowed two so-called time-serving players who will be available for Welsh selection after three years' residency (rising to five years, effective from 31 December 2020).

== Principals ==
===Presidents===
*[[Cyril Chambers (Welsh Rugby Union)|Cyril Chambers]] (1881(March)–1881(Sept.))
*[[Victor Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey|Victor Albert George Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey]] (1881(Sept)–1885)
*[[John Talbot Dillwyn Llewellyn|Sir J.T.D. Llewellyn]] (1885–1906)
*[[Horace Lyne]] MBE (1906–1947)
*Sir [[David Rocyn-Jones]] CBE (1947–1953)
*[[Ernest Davies (Rugby Union)|Ernest Davies]] (1953–1954)
*[[W.R. Thomas]] MBE (1954–1955)
*[[Tommy Vile|Major T.H. Vile]] MBE (1955–1956)
*[[Glyn Stephens]] (1956–1957)
*[[Enoch H. Rees]] (1957–1958)
*[[F.G. Phillips]] (1958–1959)
*[[Lt. Col. P.R. Howells]] (1959–1960)
*[[D. Hopkin Thomas]] (1960–1961)
*[[D.E. Davies]] (1961–1962)
*[[Wilf Faull]] MBE (1962–1963)
*[[D. Ewart Davies]] (1963–1964)
*[[Nathan Rocyn-Jones]] (1964–1965)
*[[David Jones (Rugby Union)|David Jones]] (1965–1966)
*[[T.C. Prosser]] (1966–1967)
*[[Glyn Morgan (rugby union)|Glyn Morgan]] (1967–1968)
*[[Ivor Jones|Ivor E. Jones]] CBE (1968–1969)
*[[V.C. Phelps]] (1969–1970)
*[[Kenneth Morgan Harris]] CBE (1970–1971)
*[[Rhys E. Williams]] (1971–1972)
*[[Vernon J. Parfitt]] (1972–1973)
*[[Leslie M. Spence]] MBE (1973–1974)
*[[Harry Bowcott]] (1974–1975)
*[[Handel C. Rogers]] (1975–1976)
*Hywel Thomas (1976–1977)
*[[T. Rowley Jones]] (1977–1978)
*[[D. Luther James]] (1978–1979)
*[[Gwyn Roblin]] (1979–1980)
*[[Cliff Jones (rugby union)|Cliff Jones]] OBE (1980–1981)
*[[Osmond John]] OBE (1981–1982)
*[[Hermas Evans]] (1982–1983)
*[[Eirwyn Davies]] (1983–1984)
*[[Kenneth Gwilym]] (1984–1985)
*[[Alun Thomas]] (1985–1986)
*[[Desmond Barnett]] (1986–1987)
*[[W. George Morgan]] (1987–1988)
*[[Myrddin Jones]] (1988–1989)
*[[Clive Rowlands]] (1989–1990)
*[[G.J. Treharne]] (1990–1991)
*Ieuan Evans (1991–1992)
*[[Graham Tregidon]] (1992–1993)
*[[Tasker Watkins|Sir Tasker Watkins]] (1993–2004)
*[[Keith Rowlands]] (2004–2006(Nov.))
*Glanmor Griffiths (2007(May)- 2007 Oct)
* Dennis Gethin (2007–2019)
*[[Gerald Davies]] (2019–2023)
*[[Terry Cobner]] (2023–present)

===Secretaries===
*[[Richard Mullock]] (1881–1892)
*[[William Gwynn (rugby)|W.H. Gwynn]] (1892–1896)
*[[Walter E. Rees]] (1896–1948)
*[[Eric Evans (rugby union, born 1894)|Eric Evans]] (1948–1955)
*[[Bill Clement (rugby union)|William H. Clement]] OBE (1956–1981)
*Ray Williams OBE (1981–1988)
*[[David East (police officer)|David East]] (1989)
*[[Denis Evans (rugby union)|Denis Evans]] (1990–1993)
*[[Eddie Jones (Welsh rugby union)|Edward Jones]] (1993–1996)
*[[Richard Jasinski]] (1996–1997)
*[[Dennis Gethin]] (1998–2002)
Position no longer exists

===Honorary Treasurers===
*[[Richard Mullock]] (1881–1891)
*[[William H. Wilkins]] (1891–1903)
*[[T.R. Griffiths]] (1903–1930)
*[[Sam West (rugby union)|Sam West]] (1930–1934)
*[[Eric Roberts (rugby union)|Eric Roberts]] (1934–1945)
*[[P.O. Evans]] (1946–1952)
*[[Kenneth Morgan Harris]] (1952–1982)
*Glanmor Griffiths (1984–2003)
*Studid Lee (Beaufort RFC)
*2003 Position terminated.

==Criticisms==
In 2008 the [[Welsh Language Society]] wrote to the WRU outlining a "lack of commitment to the [[Welsh language]]" and later held meetings to discuss the matter. In a statement to BBC Wales, a WRU spokesman said that it was reviewing its website and would be having more Welsh on the site.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2008-02-02|title=WRU criticised for lack of Welsh|language=en-GB|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7223515.stm|access-date=2020-05-03}}</ref>

The current [[logo of the Welsh Rugby Union]] is based on the [[Prince of Wales's feathers]]. There have been multiple calls for the WRU to use a logo "more relevant to Wales" as the feathers are associated by some with the "English crown". Pro-independence group [[YesCymru]] created mock-up WRU logos using a leek, daffodil and harp instead of the three feathers. Using a [[Welsh dragon]] has also been proposed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=David|first=Corrie|date=2021-11-02|title=Thousands sign petition for WRU to change emblem to a dragon|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/thousands-sign-petition-calling-wru-22042806|access-date=2022-02-18|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}</ref>

The union's patron is [[Prince William]], the current [[Prince of Wales]].<ref>{{cite news |publisher=Daily Telegraph|title='The drive home will be tense': Prince William and Kate cheer on opposite sides at Wales vs England |date=26 February 2023|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/02/25/prince-william-kate-cheer-opposite-sides-wales-vs-england/#:~:text=Stadium%20in%20Cardiff.-,Prince%20William%20is%20the%20patron%20of%20the%20Welsh%20Rugby%20Union,Duke%20of%20Sussex%20last%20year. |access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> The naming of the [[Prince William Cup]] caused controversy in [[Wales]] in 2007, with petitions receiving more than 1,000 signatures calling for it to be named after the late [[Ray Gravell]] instead.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-11-05 |title=Stradey to stage Gravell funeral |language=en-GB |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/7078526.stm |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Toxic culture allegations ===
In January 2023, a BBC Wales investigation included multiple former WRU employees who made allegations of a "toxic culture" in the workplace of the WRU. Later that week, Steve Phillips resigned as the chief executive officer of the WRU and was replaced by [[Nigel Walker (athlete)|Nigel Walker]]. WRU chair [[Ieuan Evans]] said that an external taskforce would be established to deal with the allegations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-29 |title=Steve Phillips resigns as WRU chief executive amid claims of 'toxic culture' |url=https://nation.cymru/sport/steve-phillips-resigns-as-wru-chief-executive-amid-claims-of-toxic-culture/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref>

As of November 2023, a 133-page review was completed highlighting "bullying and misogyny" in the WRU. A three-person chair of Dame [[Anne Rafferty]], Quentin Smith and [[Maggie Alphonsi]] was appointed for an investigation. The review involved conducting 50 interviews with groups or individuals, and it assembled a 5,000-page document of evidence, the findings were the WRU was suffering a general "failure of governance". However, the organised approach of the report has been noted as being too political for rugby union. After the publication of the findings of the report, the WRU was forced to change the personnel on an executive level in the WRU, involving the appointment of a first female Chief Executive, [[Abi Tierney]], and Richard Collier-Keywood as the new WRU chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/14/wru-toxic-culture-discrimination-bullying-misogyny-review-rugby-union| website=theguardian.com| title= WRU's 'toxic' culture of discrimination lambasted by independent panel| date=14 November 2023| access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

===UK neurological injuries lawsuit===
In December 2023 a group of 295 former rugby players sued [[World Rugby]], the [[Rugby Football Union]] and the Welsh Rugby Union 
for allegedly failing to put in place reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of players. This alleged failure is said to have caused disorders such as [[motor neurone disease]], early onset [[dementia]], [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], [[epilepsy]] and [[Parkinson's disease]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/players-bid-group-lawsuit-concussion-claims-adjourned-2023-12-01/ | title=England World Cup winners among ex-players suing over concussion | work=Reuters }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/rugby-chiefs-greatly-concerned-brain-injury-law-firm-conduct-93bsblfxh|title=Phil Greening joins brain-injury lawsuit as rugby chiefs hit back|first=Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports|last=Reporter|date=28 November 2024|website=www.thetimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.progressiverugby.com/media/world-rugby-fires-back-over-concussion-lawsuit|title=World Rugby fires back over concussion lawsuit|website=Progressive Rugby - A Non-Profit Rugby Union Lobby Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geldards.com/insights/concussion-in-rugby-union-former-players-apply-for-group-litigation-order/|title=Concussion in rugby union: former players apply for group litigation order|website=Geldards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/nov/28/four-lions-suing-authorities-brain-injuries-rugby-union|title=Four Lions revealed to be part of group suing authorities over brain injuries|first=Andy|last=Bull|work=The Guardian |date=November 28, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Wales national rugby union team]]
* [[Rugby union in Wales]]
* [[History of rugby union]]
* [[United Rugby Championship]]
* [[Welsh Premier Division]]
* [[WRU Challenge Cup]]
* [[WRU National Leagues]]
* [[Welsh Rugby Players Association]]

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=Dai |title=Fields of Praise: The Official History of The Welsh Rugby Union |year=1980 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=0-7083-0766-3}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.llanellich.org.uk/Files/117-handel-caradoc-rogers|website=llanellich.org.uk| title=Handel C. Rogers WRU President 1975–1976 on Llanelli Community Heritage}}

{{Wales national rugby union team}}
{{Rugby Wales links}}
{{World Rugby}}
{{Wales topics}}
{{Sports governing bodies in Wales}}
{{Sports governing bodies in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Rugby union in Wales]]
[[Category:Sports governing bodies in Wales|Rugby union]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Cardiff]]
[[Category:Rugby union governing bodies in Europe]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Wales]]
[[Category:National members of World Rugby]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1881]]