>
‘The future of Welsh rugby is in jeopardy,’ warns interim CEO Nigel Walker as a task force has been set up to address problems in the organization following allegations of sexism, misogyny and racism.
The man tasked with reviving the game in the country after it was hit by an unprecedented crisis has told Welsh rugby that its very future hangs in the balance.
Former Wales winger Nigel Walker has taken over as interim chief executive of Wales Rugby Unon after Steve Phillips resigned on Sunday after the organization he led was accused of sexism, misogyny and racism.
Walker and WRU President Ieuan Evans will set up a task force to get to the bottom of problems in the organization.
Chief Performance Officer Nigel Walker has taken over as CEO on an interim basis
Sportsmail revealed last March that former WRU employee Charlotte Wathan had made a series of allegations about the treatment she received during her time with the organisation. Chief among these was that one of Wathan’s former colleagues had joked that she wanted to “rape” her.
Wathan appeared in a BBC documentary last week in which she and more former WRU staff made further allegations. She left Phillips’ position untenable.
“If we are not ready to change, the future of Welsh rugby and the WRU is in jeopardy,” Walker told a hastily arranged news conference in Cardiff on Monday. “This is about restoring credibility and it will be up to people outside the organization to tell us when they think we have restored credibility.”
Walker and WRU President Ieuan Evans will set up a task force to address the issues.
Welsh Rugby Union boss Steve Phillips has resigned after a turbulent week for the governing body