Leaked documents show exactly who and how many clubs are forcing an EGM after the conclusion of the Six Nations
WRU Chair Richard Collier-Keywood faces an EGM(Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency)
We can today reveal the names of the 51 clubs backing the Welsh Rugby Union EGM in a bid to oust chairman Richard Collier-Keywood.
Documents seen by WalesOnline show a total of 51 out of 282 member clubs have officially declared their support for the EGM. The original number was 52 but one club has since pulled out.
The Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, which represents clubs in Neath, Port Talbot, Maesteg and Bridgend, sent the governing body an official letter on Sunday, February 22 officially requesting an EGM.
Nearly half the clubs forcing an EGM (23) are from District D (Central Glamorgan – Bridgend, Ogmore, Llynfi, Maesteg, Aberavon and Neath) where the regional side, Ospreys, appear to be under the biggest threat of being axed under proposals to cut from four to three professional sides. A further nine clubs from District E (Swansea and Swansea Valley) support the bid to get rid of Collier-Keywood.
No clubs from District A (Gwent) or District B (Cardiff and Vale) have supported the EGM. Cardiff Rugby’s professional future is secure under the WRU’s plan, while the Dragons would be set to get the east Wales licence after the union declared the three teams in future will be based in Cardiff, the east and just one team in the west.
A total of 11 clubs from the wider Scarlets region have submitted requisition notices for the EGM.
The clubs and associate members (Central Glamorgan and Glamorgan County) who have requested an EGM are:
- Central Glamorgan Union
- Aberavon Green Stars
- Aberavon Quins
- Baglan
- Bonymaen
- Bridgend Athletic
- Bridgend Sports
- Birchgrove
- Brynamman
- Bryncethin
- Builth Wells
- Bryncoch
- Cwmavon
- Cwmgwrach
- Crymych
- Ferndale
- Furnace
- Gowerton
- Glamorgan County
- Glyncorrwg
- Heol y Cyw
- Kenfig Hill
- Laugharne
- Llandybie
- Llanybydder
- Loughor
- Maesteg
- Maesteg Celtic
- Nantymoel
- Nantyfyllon
- Morriston
- Neath Athletic
- Mold
- Newtown
- Mountain Ash
- Ogmore Vale
- Pencoed
- Penlan
- Penclawdd
- Pyle
- Pontycymmer
- Pontardawe
- Porthcawl
- South Gower
- Swansea
- Taibach
- Tondu
- Tonna
- Tonmawr
- Vardre
- Waunarlwydd
In order for the EGM to be quorate, a third of member clubs (94) have to be present and it will take place within 28 days of the WRU issuing notice.
The first motion is a vote of no confidence in WRU chair Collier-Keywood, as well as Professional Rugby Board chair Malcolm Wall.
This motion needs at least 50.1% of those present to vote in favour for it to pass. The same level of support is needed for the second motion to be successful, which wants the WRU to hold elections for the four elected WRU council member board positions within 14 days after the EGM.
Assuming the 51 voting members who have submitted EGM requisition notices attend and vote in favour, at least another 43 clubs will at least need to be present.
The third motion wants to amend how the WRU district and council members are elected but, unlike the first two motions, this requires a 75% share of the vote.
Under the WRU’s articles of association, the third motion is technically inadmissible at an EGM and it remains to be seen if it will be allowed to stand.
The call for an EGM has been sparked by the WRU’s controversial plans to restructure the professional game which includes reducing the number of pro teams from four to three.
Despite Collier-Keywood insisting no decision had been made on what team in the west will go, Swansea Council claim if Ospreys owners Y11 Sports & Media complete their purchase of Cardiff Rugby then the WRU plans to turn the Ospreys into a semi-professional Super Rygbi Cymru outfit.
Swansea Council has launched legal action against the WRU, as have the Scarlets in a separate case following the union takeover of Cardiff last year.
As a result, Central Glamorgan Rugby Union are demanding the sale of Cardiff be put on hold along with the issuing of the three professional licences until an EGM is held.
In addition the CGMRU is recommending the following:
- Plans to amend the structure of the professional game, with a full review of WRU finances and organisation structure to be undertaken to identify where money can be saved (executive and board salaries, consultants) to support the professional, SRC and community game in Wales.
- A rugby steering group to be set up within three weeks comprising of people from the professional, SRC and community game along with business sector. This group will be directed to advise on rugby related matters and negate the need for expensive consultants.
- A central national academy to be set up within three months to be totally responsible for the identification and development of talent for male and female players.
- Except for the WRU chief executive and chair and the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair, no directors (independent non-executive or WRU council members) should be paid.
- The new WRU chair and PRB chair appointments should be immersed in Welsh culture, have a strong understanding of Welsh rugby and values, ideally be conversant in the Welsh language and live in Wales.”
- To rescind the decision made about Past Presidents of the WRU that has seen their lifetime membership revoked. Our values and culture must be upheld.
Under the articles of association the WRU board does not need to act on the above demands and if Collier-Keywood was to be replaced then the executive board would be responsible for appointing his replacement, with the clubs having no say in it.
Accusations against WRU
In the formal EGM letter sent to the WRU, Central Glamorgan Rugby Union have accused the executive board of causing “reputational damage” to the Welsh game.
“We are concerned that the WRU are paying extortionate amounts of money to consultants who do not understand Welsh Rugby themselves when there are experienced people within Wales who understand the sporting landscape and would willingly offer their time,” the letter reads.
“If people are paid to do a job and have to use consultants to guide them, then it begs the question if we have the right personnel in those roles. “
In a new development, it has also accused a small minority of the WRU leadership of being disrespectful at district meetings.
“Whilst we respect everyone’s opinion and points of view, it is very disappointing that a small minority of the WRU Leadership have been very disrespectful to our organisation in the way they have conducted themselves at District meetings by the comments they have made and the misinformation they shared,” the letter adds.
“It is clear that they do not comply with the letter issued by the WRU on 14th Feb 2026 where it mentions about proper standards of behaviour and ethics.
“The Leadership need to be aware of the last paragraph of that letter and practice what they preach.”
A letter in response from the WRU’s senior independent director Alison Thorne to clubs read: “We take such allegations extremely seriously and encourage all members to make any complaints of this nature through the established channels, which means via myself, as chair of the People Culture and Governance committee, or via your relevant district or national council member, so that we can properly investigate and deal with any issues as necessary.”