Phillips: We need fans back to boost players
THE first real test for chairman Rob Butcher and interim chief executive Steve Phillips – the new management team at the top of Welsh rugby – begins this week.
Having seen England Rugby start preparations to welcome back fans to Twickenham for the final round of Autumn Nations Cup matches, as well as receive £44m of a £135m financial bail-out from Westminster, the WRU are now hoping for similar results.
Meetings between Wales’ professional sporting sides and Welsh Government officials about getting crowds back into games are due to take place this week.
Negotiations are already on-going between the WRU and Welsh Government regarding financial aid.
With the four regions already having borrowed £20m to see them through to next summer and a £50m loss incurred on lost gates this year, Butcher and Phillips must deliver.
“We’ve had a lot of support from the Welsh Government so far. As long as we are treated fairly and proportionally to what England Rugby have had, I don’t think we can ask for anymore,” said Phillips.
“The conversations are ongoing and the relationships are good. We’ve been managing a lot of challenges. They start as financial challenges, but that’s not the only issue – it’s the consequences on the wider game.
“We’ve kept our community clubs afloat and helped the regions by raising a £20m loan to assist them. It’s been refreshing to get the international game back up and running even though it’s not the same without crowds.”
Getting fans back through the turnstiles in Wales is the next step.
“Conversations are cautiously active but because of the health implications we will accept it if it’s not going to happen,” added Phillips.
“There are obvious reasons for wanting crowds back, but it’s not just financial. We need the crowds back to bring the best out of the players. Do I want crowds back for our game on December 5? Absolutely I do.
“Even if it’s a case of it not being economically viable, I’d probably still do it because it creates the right environment.”