Jonathan Davies is a former dual-code international [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Former Wales captain Jonathan Davies has called for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board to step down. Calls for the governing body's board to resign have come from Welsh business leaders while local Swansea politicians have demanded that chief executive Abi Tierney to leave her role. There are 11 members on the board following the departure of chair Richard Collier-Keywood in March 2026. Tierney is joined by interim vice-chair John Manders, independent directors Jamie Roberts, Jennifer Mathias, Andrew Williams, Alison Thorne and Amanda Bennett, elected members Claire Donovan, Chris Jones and Colin Wilks and interim Professional Rugby Board (PRB) chair Marianne Okland. BBC pundit and former Wales fly-half Davies has joined those urging the board to quit. "This board has been in place for three years and failed to deliver," Davies said on social media. "It is now time for them to have a look at themselves and decide whether it is time for them to step aside and leave somebody else come in and take over. "An interim board to settle the ship and pick a board fit for purpose." The WRU has been asked to comment.
Ospreys say WRU plan to cut team is wrong Scarlets chief Daniels dismisses Ospreys merger Scarlets vow to remain at heart of west Wales
Welsh rugby's governing body has recently doubled down on outlining its plans to cut the number of professional teams from four to three by 2028, with WRU-owned Cardiff and privately-backed Dragons set to be given licences. That announcement has plunged Scarlets and Ospreys into doubt, with the west licence either being awarded to the Llanelli-based side or their Swansea-based rivals. WRU chiefs have said the process to decide the framework for the final decision will begin in December and finish before the end of the 2026-27 campaign. Scarlets managing director Jon Daniels has insisted there are no plans for a merger with Ospreys and called for greater transparency from the WRU. Ospreys have since responded publicly for the first time by stating they believe four professional sides is the way forward, telling the WRU its plan to reduce a team is wrong. The process for replacing Collier-Keywood is ongoing, but the WRU has indicated the successor for the independent chair role will need to support the three-team proposal. Davies continued: "The economy and the game in Wales is suffering. It is time now for people to voice their opinions, ex players, regions, and the clubs and the fans most importantly and say change is needed. "It is up to us to force the changes otherwise this is not going away and in five or 10 years we will be in a far worse state. "Let's get together and try and make a change." Davies says "Welsh rugby has stopped belonging to the people". "That is the first thing I would fix," wrote Davies. "The people of Wales need to decide whether they want rugby union as part of their identity, culture and soul. "And we all know the answer to that. The purpose of the Welsh Rugby Union is to deliver that to the people. "To provide a game that exists in every village and town - that forms a foundation stone to build a pathway to bring on our best talent - into the regions and to the national side. "To harness the unique passion and talent that exists in Wales and build a sustainable future." Davies was talking after former Cardiff board member and Welsh businesswoman Hayley Parsons called for the WRU to stand down. Rob Regan, a former chief operating officer of Principality Building Society, also says he is ready to stand as part of an alternative interim board and appoint a new permanent one.