Since the publication of the WRU’s proposal for the future of Welsh Rugby, Dragons RFC has carefully studied their proposed ‘optimal solution.’
Our position
On Tuesday 2nd September we held a formal consultation meeting with the WRU and set out the club’s position on two key issues:
1. No compelling case has been made for reducing the number of professional teams to two. We remain firm in our view that there is no reason the Dragons can’t continue in our current form. The financial and performance data provided by the WRU contained inconsistencies and are based on questionable assumptions.
2. The governance structures outlined by the WRU are not acceptable. Rugby and commercial operations cannot be separated and the Dragons will not sign up to a model that gives us no control of on-field performance.
The Dragons is a stable, sustainably-run club. Having signed the WRU’s Professional Rugby Agreement earlier this year, we have financial stability and a clear plan to drive improvements in on-field performance. Our confidence in our position has been reaffirmed by advice from our expert global-recognised legal consultants.
Next steps
We are committed to further discussions and will continue to participate in the ongoing consultation. But our position is clear: the WRU must change course.
In the meantime, we have begun discussions with our stakeholders, including community clubs, fans, and partners, many of whom have also expressed their hope that the WRU will recognise that they need to rethink.
David Wright, Chairman of Dragons RFC, said: “We are extremely disappointed in the initial proposals – they simply don’t add up. We will continue participating in the consultation and we want to find a solution. We are committed to securing a positive future for Welsh rugby and to elite rugby continuing in Gwent, but there is no way we can agree to the proposals as they currently are. Welsh rugby deserves better and the WRU must rethink.”