It comes after the district that called for the meeting said it was withdrawing its motions as its “voice has been heard”
An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the Welsh Rugby Union is set to go ahead as planned later this month despite the district that called for it saying there is no longer a requirement for it to be held.
On Wednesday night, the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) sent a major statement to member clubs, announcing that its “voice has been heard” following last week’s confirmation that WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood will step down from his role in July, with former Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall also departing.
Having led the charge for an EGM to be held and succeeding in receiving backing from enough clubs to call the meeting that was scheduled for Monday, 13 April, however, the CGRU said in its statement that the departures of Collier-Keywood and Wall meant there was no longer a need for the meeting to go ahead.
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The district had proposed three motions – one of which was a vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood and Wall – but they have now withdrawn them, adding that the key objectives of the campaign have now been achieved.
However, the WRU announced on Thursday evening that the EGM will go ahead as planned on April 13, stating that while they have “enormous respect” for the CRGU’s request to withdraw its motions, the meeting proceeding is a “legal requirement” and it “cannot be cancelled”.
In the statement, the union said it would be writing to all 282 member clubs to ask whether they object to the three motions being withdrawn, with any objections to be submitted by Friday, April 10. If there are no objections, the motions will be withdrawn but if there are objections from any clubs, the EGM will open with the membership voting on whether to withdraw them or not.
Whether or not the motions proceed, the EGM will go ahead and include a WRU board update and presentation, as well as provide an opportunity for clubs to put questions to board members and leadership.
“The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has today received a formal request from Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) asking that the three motions tabled for the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 13th April 2026 be withdrawn,” the union’s statement reads.
“We want to thank CGRU for the constructive spirit in which they have engaged with us during this process. The conversations we have had with clubs and districts across Wales in recent weeks have been exactly the kind of meaningful dialogue that Welsh rugby needs, and we are grateful for them.”
On why the EGM must proceed, the statement continued: “We have enormous respect for the request that CGRU has made, their engagement with the process – and that of the 50 clubs whose signatures called this EGM.
“However, we want to be completely transparent about an important point. Once an EGM has been formally called under company law and our articles of association, it cannot be cancelled.
“This is not a choice the WRU is making – it is a legal requirement that governs how our democratic processes work and protects the rights of all 282 member clubs, including those who did not sign the original requisitions.
“The EGM will therefore go ahead as planned on Monday 13th April 2026 at 6.00pm, at Principality Stadium and online.”
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On what will happen at the meeting, the WRU added: “So far we have received the request to withdraw the motions from CGRU only, however we expect to receive supporting requests from the other requisitioning clubs.
“If sufficient requests are received, the WRU is proposing the following. We will be writing to all 282 member clubs asking whether any club objects to the three motions being formally withdrawn. Clubs are invited to inform us of any objection by 11am on Friday 10th April 2026.
“Unless there are objections from the membership, the motions would be withdrawn and not voted on. If there are objections, we will open the EGM by putting a motion to the membership to vote on whether the resolutions should be withdrawn If the EGM is not quorate, it will be automatically postponed by one week and reconvened online.
“Whether or not the formal motions proceed, the EGM on 13th April will be an open members’ meeting. It will include a WRU board update and presentation on key issues in Welsh rugby, a formal opportunity for clubs to put questions to WRU board members and leadership [and] the opportunity to attend in person at Principality Stadium or online.”
On the logistics of the EGM itself, the WRU added: “All member clubs are welcome and encouraged to attend the EGM. Board members will be present throughout. Members must have registered to attend in advance (including by proxy) – the deadline for registrations is 11am, Friday 10th April.
“Media are welcome to attend the meeting and will have the opportunity to conduct Q&A sessions with WRU leadership after the formal EGM. The open discussion within the meeting will not be reported on the record by media in real time, in line with the practice established for previous member meetings, to allow for frank and genuine conversation.
“We look forward to seeing as many clubs as possible – in person or online – on 13th April and wish you all a happy Easter break in the meantime.”
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