Dragons Quit Wru Meeting Over 'not Viable' Pro Plan

Dragons opportunity that Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans for nan master crippled are "not viable aliases desirable" aft stepping retired of a gathering pinch nan governing body.

The Rodney Parade club's president David Wright and main executive Rhys Blumberg near soon aft nan commencement of discussions pinch nan WRU astatine Principality Stadium connected 6 November.

Blumberg has since held talks pinch nan Union arsenic Dragons' typical astatine Professional Rugby Board (PRB) meetings.

The WRU has projected cutting 1 of nan existent 4 master men's teams – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets – by 2027, and perchance by nan commencement of adjacent season.

There is group to beryllium 1 successful nan west, 1 successful Cardiff and 1 successful nan east, but Dragons person awesome concerns complete nan Union's request to return power of rugby matters and time off clubs pinch conscionable nan commercialized responsibilities.

"At nan Dragons location is nary imaginable of signing up to immoderate building that strips nan nine of power complete what happens connected nan field," said president David Wright.

The WRU announced plans to trim to 3 teams connected 24 October aft a consultation play connected erstwhile proposals to spell down to arsenic fewer arsenic two.

The governing assemblage past held talks pinch each nan master clubs and Dragons authorities that they expected a "constructive and meaningful" engagement.

"Under nan existent WRU proposals master clubs would person nary power complete rugby decisions including coaching, subordinate recruitment and selection," publication a nine statement.

"For Dragons RFC this is not viable aliases desirable, but we person consistently sought a constructive chat connected really to amended nan Union's plans."

"Shortly aft nan gathering started, it became clear and evident that nan WRU was not inclined to make amendments to their projected governance arrangements. We truthful near nan gathering soon after.

"In short, thing had changed, nan WRU was still insisting connected controlling each rugby related matters and demanding that they straight employment each players, coaches and each support staff.

"Central guidance by nan WRU of each rugby operations is not acceptable, nor is it successful nan interests of nine owners, who expect to beryllium afloat responsible and accountable for rugby operations, a cardinal and basal constituent of nan nine and business we bought."

Dragons opportunity they are besides unhappy pinch "a caller group of financial commitments demanded from owners... which are some unacceptable and off-market" that they had been unaware of anterior to receiving documents from nan WRU connected 6 November.

Dragons were WRU-owned from 2017 until 2023 erstwhile past president David Buttress, Wright and Hoyoung Huh completed a takeover.

The woody included nan nine-acre Rodney Parade site, which is nan only stadium suitable for apical level master athletics successful nan eastbound of Wales.

"Supporters understand instinctively that their squad must beryllium selected by their ain club. They will not propulsion their bosom down a broadside assembled anyplace different than Rodney Parade," said Wright.

"We will spell connected pressing for a colony that respects supporters, serves nan nine and strengthens nan nationalist game.

"The WRU must now pause, deliberation again and reconsider some its position connected governance and nan financial position it has placed connected nan table."

Dragons endured a winless first artifact successful nan United Rugby Championship (URC) aft failing to return precocious opportunities successful location draws pinch Sharks and Ospreys.

Filo Tiatia's broadside person not won successful nan URC since nan opening play of past play and their past occurrence was successful nan Challenge Cup astatine Newcastle past December.

The Rodney Parade nine person provided 5 members of nan existent Wales squad for nan autumn internationals.

Aaron Wainwright has faced Argentina and Japan but Ben Carter, Chris Coleman, Rio Dyer and nan uncapped Brodie Coghlan are yet to feature.