New WRU chairman hits back at critics

WELSH Rugby Union chairman Rob Butcher has defended his appointment after replacing Gareth Davies at the top of the game in Wales during the autumn.

Butcher was appointed by the WRU board in November 2020, seeing off former Wales international Ieuan Evans’ bid for the role.

His arrival at the head of the game in Wales sparked murmurs of discontent in certain quarters of the professional game, with some questioning his suitability for such a high-profile job.

Butcher, whose background is in teaching, came to the chairmanship via his role as a long-serving committeeman at Bargoed RFC. He was elected to the WRU board in 2015 and went on to become the head of the Community Game Board.

There were question marks over his business acumen and experience in dealing with the professional side of the game.

But, speaking at his first press conference since being appointed almost six months ago, Butcher firmly hit back at his detractors.

“What I would say is that if you’re anyone who wants to get involved in the highest level at the Welsh Rugby Union then you have to have a thick skin,” he told the Echo.

“I understand that criticism will be the case and it’s a part of being in the WRU. That doesn’t deflect me from what I want to do.

“Since the governance of the WRU changed and we split it into a Community Game Board and Professional Game Board, I am involved as chair of the Community Game Board.

“I am also part of the Professional Game Board, but I wouldn’t pretend to you for one moment I know as much as the regional chairs or other people, but I do keep up to date and I do have views.

“There will be people who say I don’t know anything about the professional game. I’d answer that by saying I know a little bit more than people think I do.

“I’ve been in the game of rugby for a long time.”