Phillips a shock option for key WRU position

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips could emerge as a shock candidate to become chairman of Welsh rugby’s governing body.

Current chairman Gareth Davies, who has been in the role since 2014, has declared he is willing to stay on for another year or so to help the game in Wales face up to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

But he would have to overcome a couple of hurdles to do so.

Firstly, he would need to be reelected as a National Council Member, with fellow ex-Welsh internationals Ieuan Evans and Nigel Davies standing against him.

Then he would require special dispensation to stay at the helm.

Under recent changes to WRU governance, a chairman can only serve two terms of three years and Davies is coming towards the end of that six year stint.

For him to stay on in the role, maybe for a year or 18 months, there would need to be a change to standing orders.

That would need to be approved by the WRU board of directors, who would have to agree to Davies remaining in the post.

Former Wales threequarters Evans and Nigel Davies could also come into the equation if either of them were to defeat Gareth Davies in the National Council election.

For that to happen, they would first need to be nominated on to the board by the Council. Then it would be down to the board members to choose their chairman.

Now another wildcard option has emerged in the shape of Phillips.

The former B&Q boss is stepping down as WRU chief executive in October

after five years in the job, with the selection process underway to find his successor. But it’s understood some senior figures within the Welsh game would like to see him stay on in some capacity, utilising his experience at these testing times.

That has raised the possibility of him entering the mix for the chairmanship. But there would be a significant stumbling block to overcome there. He would have to serve as a non-executive chairman, as he would not have been elected as a representative by the community clubs.

That would require a change of articles at the WRU AGM in October.

Such a proposal would have to be tabled by the board and it would require a 75 per cent vote from the member clubs.

If it were to happen, Phillips could potentially stay in the post for six years. It remains to be seen exactly how things will turn out, but it’s clearly a pivotal period for the administration of the Welsh game, with both the chief executive and chairman’s role to be filled.

As for Gareth Davies, he outlined his position this week.

“What I’ve said all along is I wouldn’t do a third term as chairman because we changed the governance,” said the former Wales and Lions flyhalf.

“However, I’ve been frank with the board and said I think it would be sensible to look at an extension, whether that’s a year or 18 months.

“I’d be prepared to do that on a short-term basis. That would be my recommendation, but that’s going to be up to other people to decide.”

As for standing for re-election to the Council, Davies said: “I would like to reiterate my desire to offer a period of continuity and stability to Welsh rugby by serving a further term during these tough times.

“If member clubs decide they want me to do so, I will take up the mantle during what would be my third and final term with as much passion and enthusiasm as I did in my first.

“I am looking forward to engaging further with member clubs in the weeks ahead to explain fully my motivations for standing and my plans for the future.

“However, suffice to say here, I still feel the same sense of duty and allegiance to Welsh rugby that I did in 2014 when I was first elected and I cannot justify to myself the thought of leaving at what is possibly our national game’s time of greatest need.”

Turning to the position of chief executive, the interview process will begin next week, with six candidates vying to take over from Phillips.

It’s understood WRU finance director Steve Phillips could be a contender.