Welsh rugby faces "devastating consequences" amid claims major sponsors will walk away if proposed governance changes are blocked by clubs at this month's Extraordinary General Meeting.
Professional Rugby Board chairman Malcolm Wall has also threatened to quit if they fail at the EGM.
Following allegations of a toxic culture within Welsh rugby involving bullying, misogyny, and sexism, the WRU have responded by putting forward a number of radical governance changes.
To address the gender imbalance on the WRU board they are proposing its composition should include at least five women, while either the chief executive or the independent chair will also have to be female with the clubs voting at the EGM on March 26. The Union is also attempting to increase the number of independently-appointed board members and cut the number of elected club representatives in a bid to improve the skillsets at the top of the £100m business.
The WRU will be running its campaign via a roadshow until March 26 in a bid to persuade clubs to vote the changes through. As WalesOnline reported earlier this week, the union is likely to meet opposition from some, although many others have already pledged full support.
WalesOnline has seen the minutes from a meeting between the Joint Supporters Group of all four regions, WRU chair Ieuan Evans, acting CEO Nigel Walker, and PRB chair Wall on February 15.
According to the minutes, Wall has threatened to quit Welsh rugby if these proposals fail to meet the 75% majority it needs to pass at the EGM.
Wall claims he would not be able to remain on the WRU board as a matter of principal, insisting he joined with promises of governance changes to address the lack of diversity.
Due to the reputational damage the WRU have suffered in recent months, he is also adamant in the minutes that Principality Building Society and other significant partners would walk away should they fail, which would have a devastating impact on the game in Wales.
Principality signed a 10-year naming rights deal for the nation's iconic stadium in 2015, believed to be worth around £15m. It is due to expire in January, 2026.
Welsh rugby is also in the throes of a financial crisis, with wages being aggressively pushed down over the next couple of seasons while the playing budgets of all four regions will eventually fall to £4.5million.
According to the minutes, Wall believes the four regions had been lacking in their ability to generate commercial revenues.
Wall also revealed the WRU are releasing the majority of CVC investment into the professional game and they had brought in a consultant to work on improving commercial prospects collectively.
Over the next six years the funding framework would be worth over £300million to the clubs.
Despite reports to the contrary, Wall also insists the WRU are committed to sustaining four professional sides but warned without the impending pay cuts they'd have to cut down to three.
With regards the situation with the Dragons, who are owned by the WRU, Wall revealed the ongoing work for a consortium to take the Newport-based side into private ownership was directly linked to a new financial model being agreed. He also insists there is a six-year business plan for the Dragons.
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