One of Wales’ most successful businesswomen has joined calls for Welsh Rugby Union chairman Richard Collier-Keywood to resign over its current turmoil.
Hayley Parsons, a former board member at Cardiff Rugby, launched the attack on what she described as the “cloak and dagger” and “spineless” way the WRU is brokering a deal that could reduce the number of Wales’ professional teams.
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The GoCompare founder said it was a “major problem” that neither the two people at the top of the governing body have a background in rugby.
The WRU said it understood the strong views expressed, but that Welsh rugby was going through a necessary but difficult period of change.
Parsons, who sold her stake in price comparison site GoCompare for almost £44m, has written to clubs across Wales calling for them to act quickly to bring about change.
She said the sport was in a “state of severe crisis”, adding: “It’s a civil war and we really can’t continue in this way.”
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“I think the way the WRU has gone about brokering this deal with Y11 is truly appalling,” she said.
“The lack of communication, engagement, transparency and humanity with all stakeholders is a joke.
“You can’t run a successful business when you don’t understand your product, the rugby, and disrespect your best asset, your people.”
The WRU, under the leadership of chief executive Abi Tierney and Collier-Keywood, wants to reduce the number of professional clubs in Wales from four to three as part of a major overhaul of the game.
It wants to have one region in the east, one in Cardiff and one in the west, with the governing body believing the player base and finances are currently spread too thin.
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There is currently uncertainty over the future of the Ospreys after it emerged its owners, Y11 Media and Sport, is the preferred bidder to take over rivals Cardiff.
The future of the region covering Swansea, Bridgend and Neath has, so far, only been promised until the end of next season, prompting fears it will be the one to go.
It would leave Cardiff, the Dragons in Newport and the Scarlets in Llanelli as the three remaining professional clubs.
The WRU chair says the “economic rock” of Welsh rugby is now much stronger [Getty Images]
The leader of Swansea Council Rob Stewart has called on the WRU board to resign over the issue and threatened legal action.
There is also set to be an attempt by representatives of some grassroots clubs, via an extraordinary general meeting, to replace the chairman once the Six Nations is over.
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During an appearance before MPs last month, Tierney questioned whether there was an appetite among clubs to support it.
Collier-Keywood told the same hearing the “economic rock” of Welsh rugby was now much stronger due to a refinancing of loans, a reduction in professional teams to make them more competitive and a five-year £28m plan to improve the pathway for future talent.
But despite this, Welsh MPs released a statement accusing the WRU of an immense disconnect with fans.
Parsons praised chief executive Tierney’s performance, but called on the entire process to be paused for the chair to be replaced and a re-think carried out.
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She added it was a mistake not to insist that either the chair or chief executive has experience in the game.
Both Tierney and Collier-Keywood have a background in business, rather than rugby administration.
Richard Collier-Keywood says the “economic rock” of Welsh rugby is now much stronger with a refinancing of loans [BBC]
Parsons admitted she may be open to criticism as she was involved at the top of Cardiff rugby when it went into administration, but insisted the club acted decisively once it realised the extent of the problems with investors.
She added she accepted three Welsh rugby sides might be the right answer, but not “the way they got there”.
“The process they’ve used to get to three is spineless and it’s all been done behind closed doors,” she said.
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“[Collier-Keywood] told the Welsh affairs committee that he believes he has the support of the regions and stakeholders in Welsh rugby. I absolutely disagree with that.
“I speak to a lot of people both inside the union and out and I have not found one of those people who wants to put up their hands and say they support him.”
The WRU said its board and executive team was responsible for securing the “long-term future” of Welsh rugby on a grassroots and professional level.
“That means making hard decisions now so we can invest properly in player pathways and create a sustainable model,” a spokesperson said.
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They added the changes followed “the widest consultation programme ever undertaken in Welsh sport”.
“Put simply, we must live within our means and invest where it will have the greatest long-term impact. That includes a planned investment of more than £20m over five years into the pathways that support our professional teams.
“Change of this scale is challenging, but we are confident it is the right direction for the future of Welsh rugby.”