Welsh Rugby Union ‘truly sorry’ after damning independent review

Chair Richard Collier-Keywood: “We are truly sorry to those who have been impacted by the systems, structures and conduct described in the report which are simply not acceptable.

“We have to do better and we will. This report covers our governance, our culture, our approach to women’s and girls’ rugby and behaviours of leadership. For anyone who cares about rugby in Wales it is a very difficult read and it is a particularly difficult read if you work at the WRU.

“It is clear there were many opportunities to avert the serious problems described which were simply not taken.

“We have a lot of work to do to win back the trust of our colleagues, our players, the volunteers who are the heart of our community game, and the supporters that buy tickets week in week out.

“This report is helpful in providing a path for some of what we need to do to earn back that trust.

“We have already committed to listen, learn and change. Nigel Walker, Ieuan Evans, Abi Tierney, I and the whole board have all committed to accept the findings on behalf of the WRU. We have also committed to implementing the recommendations and we intend to do that at pace.”

“Significant change is never easy. We are committed to operating transparently and building trust across and beyond the game of rugby in Wales. We look forward to developing a new strategy re-establishing our values across the WRU.

“It has been a very difficult time for our players and many of our colleagues who work at the WRU and I want to say thank you to all of them. Despite these troubled times, they have continued to deliver an elite, professional and community rugby programme for men and women, girls and boys that is such an important part of Welsh society.”

Incoming chief executive Abi Tierney: “The review’s report is incredibly humbling and describes issues, actions and attitudes that are hugely regrettable. They should not exist in our, nor any, workplace.

“Of course, as leaders of the organisation, we will all wholeheartedly condemn the attitudes and issues described, but we are equally aware that our response needs to be greater than this.

“We will implement all of the recommendations the independent review panel has made. My colleagues have committed to doing this and I commit to doing this too.

“But we will also go deeper than this. We will take what the review has found to heart and not only fix the issues identified but also to build a culture and values that we can all be proud of. We will do this together.”