The future of rugby in Wales

The Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee will hold an oral evidence session with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on 26 February 2026 to discuss proposals for the future of rugby in Wales.

In October 2025, the WRU Board announced a series of major reforms to the professional game. These included restructuring the number of professional teams, directly contracting players and coaches, and establishing a new national academy to centralise the development of young players into elite rugby. According to the WRU, the proposals are designed to secure the long‑term financial sustainability of the professional game and improve Wales’s performance on the field.

At the upcoming session, the Committee will question the WRU Chair, Richard Collier‑Keywood, and the WRU’s Community Director, Geraint John, on the proposals. Members will explore the likely impact of the reforms, and whether they can deliver the WRU’s stated objectives for financial stability, talent development, and elite performance.