WRU CEO Abi Tierney and WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Welsh rugby's future is currently up in the air but the long-term future of the professional game will be decided by the end of October.
The Welsh Rugby Union will shortly enter into a formal consultation process with a number of key stakeholders but the executive will have a strong view on what it thinks the optimal structure for the professional game should look like. Before the formal consultation can begin the executive must present what it views as the optimal structure to the main WRU board who will either give the go ahead, ask for amendments or reject it outright.
WRU CEO Abi Tierney recently revealed director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin will be the key author of the new structure.
Sources within the game say a reduction of professional clubs from four to two is highly likely, while changes to the ownership model will also be considered. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
If the WRU board agree on the executive's optimal structure the consultation process with the four professional clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - along with the four supporters' group which includes a panel of 100 fans and the Welsh Rugby Players' Association.
While the WRU executive will have a strong view on what it wants Welsh rugby's future to look like it could change during the consultation process.
But before we get to that the WRU board - who are the real decision makers - must agree on whether to back the executives' plan.
Described by many within the game as the most powerful figure in Welsh rugby, Collier-Keywood is the WRU's first independent chair.
He has previously been a UK managing partner and global vice-chair of PwC, while he has also been a senior advisor to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
With CEO Tierney set to take time off work due to ill-health, Collier-Keywood's power will grow.
"In my role as chair, I will continue to have overall responsibility for the WRU and in order to provide cover and give Abi the space she needs, will be more involved in the immediate future," he said last week. "Abi and the board have recruited a strong executive team which will continue to lead the WRU on a day-to-day basis, supported by Alison Thorne.
"The most important topic on our agenda right now is the consultation on the future of elite rugby in Wales.
"This will be led by our director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, as a member of the executive and I will take overall responsibility for its successful delivery, working closely with board members including Malcolm Wall as chair of the Professional Rugby Board, Amanda Bennett who leads at board level on our Womens game and Andrew Williams."
As the WRU CEO it goes without saying Tierney has a role to play in the restructuring of the professional game.
Tierney will be taking some time away from the game shortly due to ill-health but has been influential in getting the WRU to this stage.
The former director-general of HM Passport Office and UK Visas and Immigration has had a challenging tenure as WRU CEO.
She has had to deal with Wales' longest ever losing run in the men's game which led to the departure of Warren Gatland, allegations of bullying and sexism in the senior Wales Women's team and all the politics which comes with the professional game.
Malcolm Wall has been on the WRU board since being appointed chair of the Professional Rugby Board in 2022.
He was previously a chair of English giants Harlequins, while he has held a range of high-profile roles across the media industry.
Wall was also Meridian Broadcasting deputy CEO, led the multinational media company United Business Media as COO and was CEO, Content for Virgin Media LLC.
As chair of the PRB he has an integral role to play in the restructuring of the professional game.
Williams' business credentials are outstanding and he is heavily respected throughout the upper echelons of the Welsh game.
Williams is an independent non-executive director (INED) and was CEO of the global safety, health and environmental technology group Halma PLC for 18 years.
He helped Halma grow from a business worth �500m into a company worth �10bn.
Prior to joining the WRU board he was on the board of Cardiff Rugby as an NED. As an INED on the WRU board Williams' role is to provide oversight and guidance to the governing body without being involved in its day-to-day operations.
An INDEP is independent of the clubs who appoint the other directors.
Thorne, who hails from Penarth, is another INED on the WRU board.
She is a former chair of the National Dance Company Wales and Barcud Housing Association.
Thorne has also been a chair of leading equality charity Chwarae Teg and is the lead in Wales for Women on Boards. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
She also holds a plethora of other non-exec roles including Sport Wales and is a governor of Cardiff Metropolitan University and is heavily involved with Welsh Government.
As a former Wales international Bennett has huge experience of the women's game at both professional and community level.
Bennett enjoyed a successful career with Saracens and was Wales' number 10 at the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
She worked for UK Sport for a decade and established FairPlay Enterprises Ltd, advising on governance, leadership and EDI.
The women's game will be at the forefront of the new professional structure and as an INED on the WRU board Bennett's expertise could prove invaluable in this space.
Roberts is another INED on the WRU board and brings a wealth of experience from his time as a player.
The 38-year-old won 94 caps for Wales winning three Six Nations championships and touring with the British & Irish Lions twice.
Roberts also enjoyed a well-travelled club career having represented Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins, Bath, Stormers, the Dragons and the Waratahs.
His voice will undoubtedly be a powerful one on the WRU board.
Wilks has been on the WRU board since November 2021 as a district council member for District A, while he is also chair for WRU Competitions Management Committee.
Wilks is a former chair of Risca RFC and was a director at the Dragons for two years, while he has a business background in the mining and steel industries.
He has been on the WRU board since 2018 and represents District G.
Jones was a founding member of Newcastle Emlyn RFC and has been the club's secretary since its formation in 1977.
He has also chaired the Intermediate Group and the Schools Council.
Jones was a PE teacher for 35 years until his retirement.
He was elected as a national council member in July 2020 and re-elected in September 2021.
Manders was a former sergeant with South Wales Police and was capped by Wales at youth level.
He enjoyed a successful playing career representing Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd having started at Old Illtydians RFC. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Manders has been the Community Game Board chair since November 2022 which resulted in him replacing Rob Butcher on the main WRU board.
Donavan was elected as a National Council member in September 2021.
She is a former Wales women's international, winning 75 caps as a second-row and represented her country in two Rugby World Cups.
Donavan is an experienced board director and technical director who has held director positions on several international fresh produce companies.
Over the last few years Donavan has worked extremely hard to improve access to rugby for women and girls along with the improvements of facilities.
Mathias, who hails from Pembrokeshire, has been on the WRU board as an INED since October 2023.
She currently serves as group chief financial officer at Rathbones Group which is a �1.2bn wealth management firm listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Mathias has also worked for Lloyds TSB Group and has held a number of senior management roles.
In 2013 Mathias was named in the PAM top 40 under 40.
