WRU chair Collier-Keywood to leave role
Under-fire Welsh Rugby Union chair announces he will not look to stand for a second term when his three-year tenure ends in July.
[BBC Sport] Under-fire Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chair Richard Collier-Keywood will step down from his role this summer at the end of his three-year term. Collier-Keywood has been in position since 2023 but will exit on 16 July after deciding not to seek a second term. The announcement comes ahead of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Monday, 13 April at which he was due to face a vote of no confidence.
"I have been reflecting with the board on what should happen next," said Collier-Keywood. "We wanted to make this announcement to enable the recruitment process to start and before the EGM is held so everyone goes into the EGM process with the benefit of the same knowledge. " Ospreys get go-ahead for St Helen's return Deadline for Cardiff buyout extended by WRU WRU has 'lost argument' over plans - Senedd chair Collier-Keywood's departure comes at a time of chaos and uncertainty for the professional game in Wales.
The WRU is pushing on with highly controversial plans to cut the number of men's teams from four – Scarlets, Ospreys, Cardiff, Dragons – to three by June 2027. That proposal has been met with criticism, protests and legal action from both Scarlets and Swansea Council. Collier-Keywood has been forced to appear before politicians both in Wales and Westminster in recent months and has come under major criticism for his handling of the plans.
"Over the course of the last few years, the new board has made key decisions unanimously despite the very difficult choices we have had to face," he said. "I am fully committed to serving out the remainder of my term, subject of course, to the outcome of the EGM. "The people I have had the pleasure of working with in the WRU and outside, and the importance of and passion for rugby in Wales, have been a source of continued inspiration to me in carrying out this role.