IEUAN NAMED WRU CHAIR
WALES great Ieuan Evans has been named as the new chair of the WRU.
The former Wales, British and Irish Lions and Llanelli wing takes over in the role from Rob Butcher, who stood down earlier this month after two years in the role.
Carmarthen product Evans will become the sixth chair of the WRU since 1983, following in the footsteps of Vernon Pugh QC, Glanmor Griffiths, David Pickering, Gareth Davies and Butcher.
Evans (circled, right), regarded as one of the best wings in Welsh rugby history, scored 33 tries for Wales and toured with the Lions three times – to Australia in 1989, New Zealand in 1993 and South Africa in 1997.
After retirement, he has worked in ambassadorial and media roles and received an MBE for services to rugby in 1996.
“It is a huge honour for me to take up the position of chair of the Welsh Rugby Union and I fully intend to repay member clubs and my fellow directors for the faith they have shown in me,” said Evans, who will also continue in his role as current
Lions chair.
“That means taking up the mantle for governance reform set in motion by my predecessors with both hands and driving change for the better in Welsh rugby.
“We should continue to celebrate what we do best and we have much to be proud of in our community game, where our clubs are the hubs of the cities, towns and villages in which they reside.
“The Welsh Rugby Union has one central mission, to ensure sustainability and success throughout our game, and this will be my mantra in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
“If we stand still, we go backwards. “Only by continued progress and evolution can we carry on punching above our weight on the world stage and commanding that very special place in Welsh hearts throughout the nation.
“We cannot
Wales and in take our standing in the global game for granted. We must listen, must effect change where necessary and we must continue to strive to be so much greater than the sum of our parts.
“I owe this to the great men who have gone before me as chair, but also to the passionate, learned, articulate and knowledgeable individuals around me. Now is the time to push on, to consolidate all that is good about Welsh rugby and to strive for more.”