The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has branded calls for an emergency meeting as “short-sighted” and has warned clubs such a move risks damaging delays to reform.
In a strongly-worded response, WRU bosses have described calls for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) by some clubs as an “irresponsible first nuclear option” which would cause “significant damage” to Welsh rugby.
Clubs are being urged by members of the Central Glamorgan Rugby Union district – within the Ospreys region – to call for an EGM where three motions are proposed.
The district has written a letter looking to get the 10% of support needed from the 283 clubs in Wales to force an EGM.
WRU president Terry Cobner, chairman Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney have written to all member clubs.
“Welsh rugby is at a critical moment,” they said in a joint statement on Friday.
“This is not the moment to gamble with Welsh rugby’s future with the short-sighted and debilitating motions that have been presented.
“We have a plan. It was shaped by you. It is published. Let’s deliver it together.”
If the motion meets the required threshold, the governing body must call the EGM within 21 days. However at least 93 clubs will be needed to attend on the day to ensure the meeting is valid.
But the WRU has said the proposed motions would reverse hard-won progress, stall vital investment and jeopardise the prosperity of Welsh rugby at every level.
It claimed £28 million of planned investment in the game would be delayed, thus “undermining long-term success” on the field and impact preparation for the Six Nations.
Financial and commercial stability as well as governance integrity would also be in jeopardy, it claims.
Instead, the Union has urged clubs to raise issues with elected WRU council or board members.
The call to arms from Central Glamorgan was a sign of the growing discontent within the game in Wales.
The WRU announced in October that one of the county’s four professional men’s sides were to be cut but it remains unclear how that will happen.
The rebel clubs’ motions include a vote of no confidence in Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall, new elections for the WRU board and changes to the electoral process for the council.
“We see the meandering between different versions of a plan, causing chaos, confusion,” they said.
“This is causing reputational damage to Welsh rugby across the world when we were once held in such high esteem.”
The calls came just weeks after the 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) at the end of November – a day after Wales’ record 73-0 defeat by South Africa – with little dissent.
Clubs voted through major changes to the board of the governing body in March 2023.
