The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
07:32, 25 Oct 2025Updated 07:36, 25 Oct 2025
WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here are your rugby headlines for Saturday, October 25.
WRU to have control of coaching appointments
The WRU have revealed that under their new vision for Welsh rugby they will be in charge of the appointment of club coaches at the professional clubs.
On Friday the governing body laid out their proposals under “The Way Forward” banner, which will see one of the regions cut. Four will remain in the short term, but there will be three in the future – with one side in the west, one in the east and one in the Welsh capital.
Among a number of initiatives which will see £28million invested into the Welsh game over the next five years, coaching and staff development was referenced as one of the key elements going forward, which would see a centralised system where all coaches working in national teams, pro clubs, SRC and player development centres will be recruited by and contracted to WRU.
That would mean, in theory, that the WRU would have the ability to hire and fire the head coaches at each individual club.
Head of elite performance Dave Reddin added that in future “we want to contract staff centrally”, meaning players would be directly contracted to the WRU, not the individual clubs.
Reddin also revealed that plans for a National Academy had also been rubber-stamped.
“We did our own analysis about level of talent in academies,” he added. “Needs to be higher. We’re establishing a national academy. We’re also establishing two regional training centres. The training centres will cover one in the west and north, the other central and east Wales. They will intersect with national academy.
“Cutting academy players from 90 to 60, to raise level of talent with resources. Progressively we want to raise level of contracts to compete with over the bridge.”
Dragons issue statement
Dragons RFC have welcomed the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to retain elite rugby in Gwent following the governing body’s consultation on the future structure of the professional game in Wales.
In a statement issued on Friday, the region said it was “pleased” the WRU had recognised the importance of maintaining top-level rugby in the area and acknowledged the strength of the game across Gwent — from grassroots clubs to player development pathways.
However, the Dragons also urged the Union to reconsider some of its proposals, stressing that it is “essential” for clubs to retain control of rugby decisions to ensure a sustainable model for both the regions and the national team.
“We have contributed constructively to the WRU’s recent consultation and have always been informed by the views of our fans, staff, players and partners,” the club said. “We are pleased that the WRU has accepted that elite rugby must remain in Gwent.”
Chairman David Wright added: “Retaining elite rugby in Gwent is the correct decision; I’m pleased that the WRU has accepted that. We’ll carry on talking to the Union and hope to reach agreement on a sustainable operating model.
“The last few months have been difficult and uncertain for the Dragons community. We are so grateful for the continued support of everyone connected with our club.”
Shanklin: Sticking with four teams now ‘no good to anyone’
Tom Shanklin believes the decision to announce the cutting of a Welsh region in the future is “no good to anyone” and believes speculation will now “be through the roof” in the coming years.
It comes after the WRU have decided to cut to three teams, however that could be in three years’ time, leaving teams in limbo during the intervening period.
Players were informed of the news on Friday morning. They have also been promised further details on the three proposed clubs – which may not share the same branding as the current teams – will be given in the coming weeks.
Writing on X, former Wales centre Shanklin said: “Why not say we are committing to 4 teams right now and then re-evaluating in 2028?
“Speculation will be through the roof now and no good to anyone.”
MPs to grill WRU over future of Welsh rugby
MPs will question Welsh Rugby Union bosses over the future of the game in Wales following the outcome of its major consultation on proposed structural changes.
The Welsh Affairs Committee will hold an evidence session in January to examine the WRU’s plans and discuss rugby’s wider economic and cultural importance to Wales.
Representatives from the WRU will be joined by figures from Sport Wales and across the rugby community to give evidence.
Committee chair Ruth Jones MP said: “With rugby woven into the fabric of life in communities up and down the nation, the proposed structural changes announced by the WRU will resonate far beyond the pitch.
“Our session in the new year will explore how the restructuring will affect the future of the game in Wales, while examining the wider importance of the sport to both our culture and economy.”
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