Wales bring in new chairman amid turbulent times

NEWS: Ieuan Evans promised to “strive for more” after being appointed chair of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The legendary former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing takes over with doubts over the future of Wales coach Wayne Pivac less than a year out from the World Cup.

Evans takes over from Rob Butcher who served two years at the helm but stood down after the WRU’s recent 2022 Annual General Meeting.

Evans played for Wales 72 times, captaining the team in 28 games and leading them to the 1994 Five Nations title.

Wales have lost 20 out of 34 Tests under Pivac with the shock 13-12 defeat by Georgia in Cardiff earlier this month an apparent catalyst for talks about his future among WRU officials.

There is also doubt over the game at club level in Wales with the four provinces Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets and Dragons struggling financially.

“The Welsh Rugby Union has one central mission to ensure sustainability and success throughout our game, and this will be my mantra in the days, weeks, months and years ahead,” said Evans.

“If we stand still, we go backwards. We must listen, we must effect change where necessary and we must continue to strive to be so much greater than the sum of our parts.”

“The relationship between CEO and chair is vitally important,” said WRU CEO Steve Phillips.

“Ieuan is a hugely popular and significant figure in the Board room and respected around the world game, as is proven by the positions he already holds on World Rugby and as chair of the Lions.

“These are exciting times for Welsh rugby and there is much to do and we are delighted to be able to appoint a figurehead of Ieuan’s stature, who knows our game inside out.

“I know he has strong views about governance modernisation alongside the rest of the Board and fully understands our professional game. I know his impact will be immediate in terms of the style and acumen he will bring to the position of chair. I am very much looking forward to working with him as we chart the future for our game together.

“Finally, I would like to add my gratitude to Rob Butcher for all that he has done to move Welsh rugby forward during his time in the position and we are blessed to be able to retain his services on the WRU Council.”

Whilst former chair Butcher stood down from his position on the Board and as the Community Game Board chair – a position which has been occupied by national director John Manders as recently announced – he remains an integral member of the WRU Council.