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Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU reveal new plan to lure players back from England after scrapping exiles programme
WRU reveal new plan to lure players back from England after scrapping exiles programme The WRU has been criticised for scrapping its exiles programme but insist better times are ahead Interim WRU performance director Huw Bevan (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) The Welsh Rugby Union is changing its long-running Exiles programme — but performance director Huw Bevan insists the new version will be more effective at keeping the best Welsh talent in Wales and convincing those lost to the English system to return. In the past the WRU's exiles programme has been responsible for identifying Welsh qualified talent in England and further afield. But the WRU believes it has replaced it with a superior system, with the aim of retaining players in Wales and repatriating those who are based in England. This will be the aim for both the men's and women's game. "We are trying to restructure the emphasis of the programme to focus more on retention of players within Wales and the repatriation of players who are primarily in England," Bevan told WalesOnline. 'We believe that the majority of the players capable of playing professional or international rugby have already been identified by us or elsewhere. 'This is because the best players are already identified, in England either by a public school who are linked to an academy or directly from Wales, by academy people recruiting them back home from across the border. Article continues below 'They have either leaked out of our system to attend public schools, or been recruited by academies in England, or we already know about them through the Welsh academy system "So, our renewed focus is on retaining and also identifying players based across the border, together with supporting people who are already known to us. . "We need to make connections with them and engage with them to come back into the Welsh national age grade programmes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "We think that the more often we get players who are currently across the border in a Welsh shirt the more chance we've got of recruiting them at senior level back into our system at national level and also for the regional clubs. "What we've done is given the responsibility for retaining our high potential players to specific WRU staff within our pathway who focus on our U18s on both the male and female side.. "So, they'll know all our players at U18s level and will connect with them, support and educate them about the options available to them in Wales in a way that will encourage them to stay in Wales or give them incentive to return. "To do that we are working closely together in the professional clubs to create a collective One Wales offer which includes all aspects of the professional game. "We have spent a lot of time with the regional clubs recently specifically on this topic of retention." There are a number of Wales internationals over the years who were born outside the country but qualified courtesy of a family connection, both in our age grade and senior teams Steff and Ioan Emanuel, Harry Beddall, Sam Scott, Louies Hennessey, Louis Trevett, Luke Evans, Aidan Boshoff and Jonny Green in the WRU pathways, along with the likes of Blair Murray and Ellis Mee at international level are good examples in recent times. Blair Murray and club and country team-mate Ellis Mee (Image:) The WRU is putting more of an emphasis on senior academy level and above with the aim of repatriating these players to Wales. This includes the Wales Pathway Players programme (WPP) where a group of up to 60 players of national interest between the ages of 15 and 24 have been identified as Wales internationals of the future and as a result will be given additional support. "In terms of identifying players who are Welsh qualified who have left our system and are in schools or academy systems elsewhere, we've now got people who are well placed and who have established connections with academy staff, in Richard Whiffin (Wales U20s coach), Andy Lloyd (talent and pathways manager) and others," said Bevan. "They will speak regularly with these academy managers and have strong relationships with them that we are already utilising. "If you look at the relationship with Harlequins, Bristol and Gloucester as examples. "Look at the number of players who are coming back and playing for Wales age grades because of the strength of those connections. "We need to continue to capitalise on those relationships. We feel the people we've got are best placed to do that. In terms of the wider identification of Welsh qualified players, each of the regional clubs have a recruitment manager who are connected to agents. "Using that is a much wider network to utilise, these are people who are going to be proactive in finding opportunities for Welsh-qualified players within Wales. "There's been several of late who have been found. "There's Levi Douglas at the Dragons, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray and Ioan Jones, who the Scarlets have signed, these players were identified through agents and recruitment managers that will be part of our system. Levi Douglas previously played for Bath (Image: Getty Images ) "There's also a network of about 20 coaches and teachers who are Welsh connected. "These are people who have strong connections to Wales but who are embedded in the English system who we have identified. 'They've stepped forward to say they would like to contribute and support a Welsh-qualified scouting network. "That's the proactive approach we are going to take." Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Undoubtedly one of the biggest threats to professional rugby in Wales is the high number of talented young players who take up scholarships in English public schools and are picked up by the academies of Gallagher Premiership clubs. The WRU believes its new system will help prevent this from happening as much as it used to with a huge emphasis on retaining players in Wales. The retention drive is based on creating an improved understanding of the opportunities available to players in Wales from a rugby, academic and welfare perspective. "Certainly from an academic perspective, we are competitive and we believe we have a good all round offer, we just need to give the players the information they need to make an informed decision,' said Bevan. 'If players do choose to leave we have to continue to stay connected with the players if they do leave to make sure the are still linked to the club they come from. 'If they go, what we have done previously is largely ignored them. "We've previously had the attitude of sometimes thinking, that's it you are out of the system, but you can't afford to do that. "We have to work with our schools or academies that they go to and make sure that player feels connected to whatever club they come from. "We need to go there, visit them, encourage them to be part of the Welsh system and make sure the allegiance is with Wales. "They are selected and encouraged to come into the Welsh Player Pathway (WPP) programme, they are encouraged to play at every opportunity at our U18s, U19s and U20s programmes. "I don't think we will stop everyone leaving but the first thing to do is say, this is what we can offer you in terms of academic support and this is what we can do from a rugby perspective. "If you are in Wales you are going to have more opportunities to work through the WPP programme, however you made the decision to go but we are not going to let you feel isolated by that, we still want to stay connected with you and we want you to come back.' Bevan is confident this new strategy will work and believes young players have greater opportunities in Wales and this will persuade players to return to this side of the Severn Bridge. "What we've got at the moment in Wales is opportunity," he said. "Our young players are getting more opportunities than the ones in England. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "Look at Macs Page and Huw Anderson. Look at the game time Macs has had for the Scarlets which has now got him on the Wales tour to Japan. "There's a couple of signings coming to Cardiff now who are not getting opportunities in England. Article continues below "Look at Louie Hennessey. He came on loan to Cardiff and went straight into the first team. "We just need a collective effort. "We can't afford to let people slip through the net as easily as we may have done previously."
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
WRU: Leighton Davies appointed new chief commercial officer
The position was previously known as the chief growth officer and aims to bring growth to the governing body and the game in Wales. Currently WRU's chief operating officer, Davies has been instrumental in establishing robust business processes and a solid financial foundation. He will assume his new role later this summer, with a replacement for his current position yet to be recruited. Abi Tierney, WRU chief executive, said: "We are delighted that Leighton has accepted this new challenge in such a pivotal role for Welsh rugby. "It is a key position for us as we continue the process of professionalising and further commercialising ourselves to meet the challenges faced by all of Welsh rugby as part of our five-year One Wales plan." Davies, a member of the Professional Rugby Board, expressed his enthusiasm for his new role. "I am really excited to be taking up this new role," he said. "Welsh rugby possesses a huge amount of unrealised potential and this is what directly attracts me to this position. "The game is undoubtedly going through a tough time, not just in Wales, but globally, but I'm hugely excited about the potential of our new strategy and plans."
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU announce major new appointment at critical time for game in Wales
WRU announce major new appointment at critical time for game in Wales The WRU have announced a major new appointment New WRU CCO Leighton Davies (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has appointed Leighton Davies as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). This new role was previously described as the Chief Growth Officer and has been created to bring growth to the WRU and the whole Welsh rugby ecosystem. Davies is currently WRU Chief Operating Officer (COO) and, having led the effort across the business to implement robust business process and a solid financial foundation, will take up the new role later this summer - with a replacement COO to be recruited. He is also the WRU Chief Operating Officer having joined the WRU as Chief Financial Officer in March 2024, while he also sits on the Professional Rugby Board. 'I am really excited to be taking up this new role," said Davies. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "Welsh rugby possesses a huge amount of unrealised potential and this is what directly attracts me to this position. "The game is undoubtedly going through a tough time, not just in Wales, but globally, but I'm hugely excited about the potential of our new strategy and plans.' The professional game in Wales is at a critical stage in its history after the Ospreys and Scarlets refused to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement due to concerns the WRU were planning to turn Cardiff into a super club after buying the capital city side. Following Cardiff and the Dragons' decision to sign PRA 25 it led to the WRU activating the two-year notice clause on the old agreement, leaving the two west Wales clubs in limbo. The future direction of professional rugby in Wales will be decided over the coming months but a reduction to three or even two clubs is a very real possibility. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free As a result Davies will have a critical role to play in the future direction of the professional game. 'We are delighted that Leighton has accepted this new challenge in such a pivotal role for Welsh rugby," said WRU CEO Abi Tierney. Article continues below "It is a key position for us as we continue the process of professionalising and further commercialising ourselves to meet the challenges faced by all of Welsh rugby as part of our five-year One Wales plan.' Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development
Welsh region to be cut in bombshell development Welsh rugby is set for seismic change after the WRU informed the four professional teams it intends to go down to three Dewi Lake of Ospreys, Liam Belcher of Cardiff, Aneurin Owen of Dragons and Blair Murray of Scarlets at a recent Judgement Day photo call. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union has decided to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales to three, WalesOnline has learnt. We understand the WRU board has agreed that reducing the number of professional clubs is the best way forward, with the process set to begin this summer. As part of the WRU's One Wales strategy the initial plan was to retain four clubs - Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets - under a new Professional Rugby Agreement which was meant to lead to increased funding and a refinancing of the debt acquired during Covid. WRU CEO Abi Tierney and chair Richard Collier-Keywood have always maintained their desire to retain four clubs but things have changed dramatically. Primarily, the WRU's decision to take ownership of Cardiff Rugby following the capital city club entering administration has altered the landscape significantly. While the Dragons have signed the new PRA, both the Ospreys and Scarlets refused to do so over fears the WRU would turn Cardiff into a super club. The WRU and the two west Wales clubs have been locked in negotiations for the past couple of weeks but have not been able to get a deal over the line. Article continues below WalesOnline has been told the WRU have activated the two-year notice on the old PRA because it is desperate to refinance its debt. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. NatWest view the old PRA as too much of a risk to refinance the debt because any increase in the WRU's profit has to go to the four professional clubs, whereas it doesn't on the new deal. The WRU is looking to take on around £35m of new debt which would refinance its existing NatWest and Welsh Government facilities of £30m. There is Welsh Government debt of £12.5m which was passed through to the clubs via the WRU. But despite saying there was enough money in the new PRA to fund four strong professional sides, it appears the view is that is no longer be the case. It has been apparent for quite some time that Wales does not have the finances nor the sufficient volume of high-end professional players to service four clubs. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. All four professional clubs have struggled to compete with the better sides in the United Rugby Championship and Europe, while the Dragons finished bottom of the table having won just one league game all season. The WRU has decided enough is enough and want to create a structure which is financially viable and allows the game in Wales to not only survive but thrive. Cutting to three professional clubs could be seen as an ambitious move to concentrate talent and resources which should in theory improve standards across the board. Despite a two-year notice getting served, the likelihood is a change will happen sooner than that. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free One option would be to put the licences out to tender after setting some strict criteria based on things like stadium, facilities, investors and players produced for Wales, among other things. The second option would be for two clubs to merge voluntarily or for another to fall on its sword. Article continues below One thing which is certain is that seismic change is coming to Welsh rugby, not seen since the inception of regional rugby in 2003.
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
WRU defend redundancies as 4,500 people urge them to reconsider
WRU defend redundancies as 4,500 people urge them to reconsider The WRU has come under fire for its decision to cut its hub officers programme WRU's Geraint John (Image: Jonathan Myers ) The Welsh Rugby Union has shed new light on its decision to discontinue funding for the community hub programme and insists the new structure will have a positive effect on the game in Wales. As part of the One Wales strategy the WRU hopes its restructuring and transformation programme will save £5m overall, but unfortunately this will result in job losses. The WRU's decision to stop funding the hub officers programme - which has seen circa 30,000 children benefit from it since its inception in 2014 - has been criticised in some quarters. Up to 20 jobs could be lost as part of the changes while more than 4,500 people have signed a petition asking for the hub officers to be saved. But WRU community director Geraint John has explained the WRU's decision and is adamant its replacement will have an even greater impact than the current model, which only covers 48 percent of Wales. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The current programme will be restructured to increase coverage, with current funding discontinued in key areas. It will be up to schools to decide how they reallocate the investment into rugby. Article continues below The plan is that the existing WRU staff will be reorganised and the number increased, with a much wider remit to ensure there is total coverage of all community clubs and educational establishments across Wales in terms of having named contact and consistent level of support "If we could have put Hub officers in 100 percent of schools across Wales this would absolutely have been the way forward, but we can't afford to do that and not all schools can afford it either," John told WalesOnline. "None of this has been easy but we have found a solution which will bring rugby to all of our children, rather than just those in areas that can afford it. "People say how can you get rid of this hub officer because he or she is brilliant? I get it because they are wonderful but they only cover certain areas at the moment. They have delivered a great service in their respective areas and done what has been asked of them, but our job has been to think about how do we service all of Wales, all schools and all clubs. "If we could have 200 of these hub officers spread across Wales then fantastic but we don't have the money to do that and the feedback we have gathered is that neither do all of our educational establishments. We have had to look at what was the best way to service all of Wales, our clubs as well as our schools, and not just those areas with the means and resources." The Hub officers deliver rugby activities to young people across Wales at clubs, schools and other community rugby outlets. But WRU is not the primary employer of the Hub Officers with schools paying the majority of their salaries and the union covering only a certain percentage of it. The union has faced criticism over how the news was delivered, with hub officers saying they were left in the dark for too long. "We weren't taking the hub officers away, we were, sadly and unfortunately, taking the finance away in order to use this resource in a more efficient way," said John. "The whole timing of it happened it was 8.15am prior to them starting education. We spoke to the educational establishment in charge saying we will no longer be able to continue with the financial model that we are doing. "That was a tough call with all the educational establishments. They understandably weren't very happy that the WRU was pulling their funding and we get it but we had to tell them first as they were the primary employer. "People are saying why aren't you telling the hub officers but we had to tell their employer first, which was very difficult but this was the situation we were in because of the way the programme was set up, we had no choice. "At the same time during that week we were also running the Urdd sevens. People say well couldn't you have done it a week earlier but we couldn't have done that because decisions hadn't been fully ratified. "I'll put my hand up and say the timing and mechanism was unfortunate but we have since spoken to the hub officers directly, this week in fact. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free "We have explained we will look at ways we can support them and there may also be other vacancies they can fill. These people have skills that we need and can utilise, they are good people and we will be looking for roles they can fill within our structure, but we simply cannot do that yet due to internal consultations taking place with our own staff right across the business. "This was a business decision and we could have just written to the educational establishments but that would not have been the right way, we had to do it personally and be there to answer questions and explain our thinking. We have tried very hard to do the right thing and consider the individuals involved but we have had to follow a process. "We felt the best way was to sit with the educational establishments and verbalise it. "They phoned the hub officers and rumours got around. That's not how we wanted to do it but it was a very difficult decision to make. "If people are hurt by this decision we can only apologise but we thought it was the right thing to do to let the schools know first as their employers." The WRU plans to invest money into a restructured programme that can cover much more of the country. The plan is that the existing WRU staff will be reorganised and the number increased, with a much wider remit to ensure there is total coverage of all community clubs and educational establishments across Wales in terms of having named contact and consistent level of support. The aim is to support and provide opportunities for all and make sure all departments are covered from rugby, coaching, match officials, policy, and integrity, safeguarding and club development and invest further with WRU clubs and volunteers. "We will be announcing the full details of our plan very soon, once we have completed our consultation period with staff and given the right support to those affected," John told WalesOnline. "I'm confident the restructured programme will be more effective in keeping young people involved in rugby and driving up participation levels. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "These days there is so much more competition from not just other sports but various activities which are readily available to young people. Article continues below "What we are going to put in place will cover the whole of Wales far better than the previous programme. "WRU staff will be reorganised and their number increased with a much wider remit to ensure all community clubs and educational establishments across Wales have a named contact and a consistent level of support."
