WRU plans delay will see Wales fall behind - Tierney

WRU plans delay will see Wales fall behind - TierneyImage source, Huw Evans AgencyImage caption, Abi Tierney became the first Welsh Rugby Union chief executive in January 2024Published4 minutes agoCommentsWelsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney has warned further delays to controversial proposals for the professional game will mean Wales fall further behind.The union's plan to cut from four to three men's sides has been criticised by supporters and politicians, but the WRU intends to will push forward to complete the plans.Tierney's declaration was made at an WRU extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held at Cardiff's Principality Stadium that lasted three hours.But Tierney provided no update on the process of how a professional team will be culled with no agreement reached yet with the existing sides Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons.There were also no more details given on the WRU's plans to sell Cardiff to the Ospreys' owners.Why were the three EGM motions dropped?The Central Glamorgan Rugby Union (CGRU) initially succeeded in receiving the required 10% of backing from Welsh clubs to call the EGM.It had proposed three motions, which included a vote of no-confidence in WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Malcolm Wall.The third motion involved governance changes which included how the four council WRU members - who sit on the governing body's board - are elected.It has since been announced both Collier-Keywood and Wall will be leaving their respective roles. Former Harlequins chairman Wall has been replaced on an interim basis by Marianne Okland, while the process has been started to replace Collier-Keywood.Following the announcement of those departures, the CGRU wrote to clubs stating it would withdraw the motions and believed the EGM should be cancelled.The WRU rejected calls for the meeting to be called off, saying legal obligations dictate it must go ahead.The governing bod...