WRU Faces New Allegations of Sexism Amid Ongoing Contract Negotiations for Women’s Rugby Team

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is facing new allegations of sexism and inequality, just months after a critical independent review of its culture.

These latest claims revolve around prolonged contract negotiations involving the women’s senior team.

The Telegraph has reported that external players were allegedly threatened with penalties, including exclusion from major tournaments, if they did not accept the Union’s terms.

The WRU has disputed several of the claims, including allegations that CEO Abi Teirney was unwilling to cover travel expenses for players. The governing body has announced it will conduct an independent review of the negotiation process and publish the recommendations.

Since signing their first professional contracts at the start of 2022, the women’s team has made significant strides on the field, finishing third in both the 2022 and 2023 Women’s Six Nations. However, 2024 has seen a notable decline in performance, with Wales finishing last in the championship.

In January, players enlisted the support of the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA) to represent them in negotiations, raising concerns about pay and a performance-based maternity policy. The WRA has confirmed the allegations reported by the Telegraph.

According to the Telegraph, players were warned in August that they would lose their spots at the WXV2 tournament in South Africa and the upcoming Rugby World Cup if they did not sign the contracts, accompanied by a tight three-hour deadline.

Wales captain Hannah Jones confirmed in September that the situation had been resolved, stating that players were “happy with their contracts.” Later that month, prior to their WXV2 opener against Australia, the WRU announced the awarding of 37 full-time contracts, proudly claiming that Wales was “one of the best-paid international women’s teams in the world.”

The WRU maintains that Teirney regularly engaged with the WRA and asserts that she approved the payment of travel expenses once negotiations began. Teirney stated that the board was informed in August about the players’ concerns regarding the contract process.

“The WRU welcomed this approach, and the WRU chair [Richard Collier-Keywood] immediately initiated two work streams,” she explained. “One focused on completing negotiations with a core team, while the other was a board-led review of the entire contract process.”

Teirney noted that while it is not appropriate to discuss the specifics of confidential negotiations, the WRU will publish the results and recommendations of the review shortly.

A joint statement from the WRA expressed admiration for the women’s team, stating, “Having represented the Wales Women’s team this year, we have been inspired by their bravery and determination to improve not only their own working conditions but also those of future generations of players in Wales.

“We are proud to support this group through such a challenging time and look forward to their achievements in this exciting year for women’s rugby. The WRA sees the WRU’s decision to initiate the review as a significant step, and we anticipate the results in due course.”