Welsh Rugby Union set to face EGM

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is set to face an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) with a vote of no confidence to be held in chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

An exact date has yet to be set but the WRU has seven weeks to stage the event.

However it is likely to be held in late March or early April, after the Six Nations.

Demands for an EGM were led by the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) district – within the Ospreys region – who wrote to clubs in January.

The district has said it now has the 10% support – about 30 of the near-300 clubs across Wales – required to force the motion.

In a letter seen by the BBC dated 22 February, CGRU honorary secretary Derek Davies said the district has “submitted the requisition” for an EGM to the WRU.

The WRU has confirmed it has received a requisition from the community clubs and outlined the next steps.

So it could be a maximum of seven weeks from 22 February but is unlikely to take that long.

This will be a fourth EGM in 12 years with the previous annual general meeting (AGM) being held at the end of November 2025.

Three motions were initially tabled in January and will be debated at the EGM.

The first is a vote of no confidence in WRU chair Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall, which would require a majority of more than 50% of the clubs that attend the EGM to pass.

The second motion would be for the WRU council to hold elections for the four elected member board position within 14 days after the EGM, which also requires more than 50% of the vote.

The third motion was to amend how the WRU district and council members are elected, which will require a 75% majority.

In addition to the motions, CGRU also put forward the following recommendations:

The EGM news comes at a time of turmoil for Welsh rugby off the field.

Swansea Council has applied for a High Court injunction to halt the proposed deal between the WRU and Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media to buy rivals Cardiff.

Ospreys are under threat of being removed from the professional tier with owners Y11 the WRU’s preferred bidders to buy Cardiff from the governing body.

The WRU wants to cut one professional men’s side in Wales with Ospreys now in the firing line if Y11 buy Cardiff.

The WRU has told Swansea Council a deal will not be completed with Y11 before 16 March.

On the field, Wales, who have lost the opening three games against France, England and Scotland, finish their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday 14 March after travelling to face Ireland in Dublin eight days before.

The WRU statement continued: “The WRU published its plans for the future of the elite game in Wales at the end of October 2025, following an extensive consultation process.

“We are now focused on rolling out that plan and have been working tirelessly with the key stakeholders during the last months to agree a consensus on its implementation.

“This detailed work has been undertaken with the professional clubs, the United Rugby Championship and player representatives, and we remain committed to reaching consensus on the next steps.