Welsh Rugby in new sexism scandal after threatening to withdraw World Cup in contract impasse

The Welsh Rugby Union has found itself embroiled in a new sexism scandal after threatening to withdraw its women’s team from next year’s World Cup if the players do not sign new contracts.

Less than a year after an independent review found a “toxic” culture within the WRU, the organization has repeatedly refused to meet players’ demands during contract negotiations and threatened them with action disciplinary.

A source said Telegraph sport the process left many players feeling “emotionally bad” and some even falling victim to bullying tactics allegedly used by members of the women’s coaching staff and senior management.

Among them is Ioan Cunningham, the team’s head coach, who has repeatedly contacted players to sign new contracts during this year’s Six Nations, despite the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA ) had been appointed to negotiate on behalf of the players.

A vast investigation now reveals:

• The WRU refused “nearly all of the players’ demands”, including a tailored, performance-based maternity policy, increased salaries, a guaranteed rugby boot allowance and nutritional supplements.

• Nigel Walker, executive director of rugby at the WRU, told players that if they did not sign a contract this summer they would be cut and it would also lose the team’s place at the WXV2 tournament in South Africa, and therefore the place of the country until next year. World Cup in England.

• Players were given a final ultimatum with a three-hour deadline to sign contracts and threats of consequences, including the cancellation of matches and the removal of training.

• Abi Tierney, the WRU chief executive, did not want to pay the traveling reserves on match days and tried to exclude the WRA from negotiations.

During a complicated negotiation process that lasted several months, players sought help from the WRA – a union established in 2021 to provide a collective voice and support for elite women’s rugby players in the United Kingdom – after feeling “uncomfortable” around seniors. management.

Although the WRA first made contact with a WRU representative in early February, the players were cornered individually by members of the coaching management, who attempted to convince them to sign new deals.

This drawn-out process contributed to a poor run of results for the team on the field. Wales finished bottom of this year’s Women’s Six Nations and, despite qualifying for the World Cup against Spain last June, recorded just one win at the WXV2 tournament in South Africa. .

It is now known that the team’s preparation ahead of the competition was disrupted after the WRU intensified contract negotiations weeks before the start of the competition.

On August 2, the WRU threatened disciplinary action after players refused to attend a meeting at the National Center of Excellence over contracts. The invitation was not extended to WRA representatives.

Walker then warned players on a Zoom call that there would be serious consequences if they did not sign the contracts offered by the union within the next three hours. This meant sending the national under-20 team to compete in WXV2 and losing their place at next year’s World Cup. Walker reportedly told the players, “We’re not bluffing. »

In a follow-up email sent to the team after the call, the consequences of not signing contracts were reiterated to players in writing. “If the contracts are not signed today (Friday 2/08) by 4 p.m., they will be withdrawn,” we can read. “Scheduled matches against the Black Ferns, Scotland and Australia will be canceled and we will lose our place at WXV. This will also mean we lose our place at RWC 25.”

After the team refused to sign the contracts, Hannah John, the team’s manager, told the players via WhatsApp that training “would be canceled until further notice.” This is despite all players being under contract until September 30 after their current contracts for the 2023-24 season were extended by two months.

With negotiations at a standstill, the WRU then changed tactics and attempted to discourage actors from using the WRA and offered to pay various independent advisers.

In an email sent more than a week later by Richard Collier-Keywood, chairman of the WRU board, players were informed that Tierney believed the WRA’s involvement had been more disruptive than constructive . “We believe there are better choices with more direct experience and I confirm that we would pay for this advice if we were you,” Collier-Keywood wrote. This request was rejected by the players.

The WRU, which had a turnover of £100m for the financial year ending June 2023, announced new contracts for 37 players worth £24,000 to £30,000 in September, which made the players “one of the highest paid women’s international teams in the world”. » although they did not respond to almost all of their proposals.

In response to the allegations, the WRU acknowledged that there had been “concerns” among players during the contract negotiation process and that a review was underway.

The body did not apologize, but did not deny the allegations regarding the World Cup withdrawal.

In a statement, Tierney said: “In September this year, the Welsh Rugby Union is proud to have delivered 37 new full-time professional contracts to Welsh women players.

“The move, for the first time, included numerous two-year extended contracts and made Wales one of the highest paid women’s international teams in world football.

“The WRU Board was informed in August by players of their concerns regarding the contract negotiation process. The WRU welcomed this approach and the WRU President immediately launched two lines of work. One was the completion of negotiations with a core team, and the second was a board-led review of the entire contracting process.

“It is not appropriate to discuss the details of the confidential negotiations, but the WRU will publish the findings and recommendations of the review it has undertaken very soon.”

Responding to allegations of refusing to pay traveling reserve players and sidelining the WRA, the body said in a statement: “When Abi Tierney became involved in the process, she approved the payment of traveling reserves match fees and engaged regularly with the WRA.”

Tierney added: “I appreciate the WRA’s contribution to the contract negotiation process and the WRU and WRA have developed a strong and ongoing partnership. Certain details of the negotiation process must necessarily remain private in order to allow future discussions to take place in a safe environment.

Players had called for a detailed maternity policy suitable for full-time athletes, which was one of 36 recommendations put forward following a BBC Wales investigation which revealed allegations of sexism and discrimination , which have not yet been implemented. The WRU has confirmed Telegraph sport that a maternity policy specific to athletes “similar to that used by other major rugby nations is being finalized as part of the new contracts that have been put in place”.

Although player proposals for a £1,000 base match fee were also refused, bonuses were reportedly agreed for completing places at major tournaments.

A WRA spokesperson said: “We represent part of the Welsh women’s team through our work in the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR). Earlier this year, the Wales team contacted the Women’s Rugby Association to represent them in their contract negotiations with the WRU.

“We are proud of the support we continue to provide to PWR players and our work with the Welsh team, but it would not be appropriate to discuss the details of confidential negotiations. We wish the Wales team good luck in their preparations for the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup next year. »