The proposals were passed in principle by the Board at its monthly meeting, held last week.
WRU chairman Gareth Davies outlined plans for changes to the WRU governance structure at the Annual General Meeting of clubs last October.
Since the AGM Davies and members of the executive team have canvassed opinions at a series of informal meetings at rugby clubs around Wales and been met with widespread general approval for the proposals.
The plan, based on initial WRU Board feedback and widespread consultation, has now been approved at Board level.
The next step is to put the proposal to a final vote at the AGM and a period of further consultation and discussion will be undertaken at a series of Club and District roadshows in due course, to ensure member clubs are aware of the details in advance of the AGM.
“I would like to put on record my thanks to the Board,” said WRU chairman Davies.
“Change is always challenging and it is to their absolute credit that they have approved these changes for the greater good of Welsh rugby.
“We are committed to being open and transparent throughout this process and we will conduct a further series of roadshows where we can take Member Clubs through the detail of the proposal.
“I am confident that we have reached the right outcome and look forward to sharing this in detail.
“Welsh rugby deserves a governance structure that is modern and fit for purpose.
“Our size as a rugby nation could and should work to our advantage. We have a unique history and it is vital that, to safeguard our standing in the world game, we give ourselves the ability to innovate and be forward thinking whilst protecting everything that makes rugby in Wales so special.
“Getting the right mix of rugby knowledge – from grassroots to the elite end of the game – and business acumen will ensure that we run the game as effectively as possible.”
The current WRU Board is made up of 20 members – three National Appointed Directors (Gareth Davies, Anthony Buchanan and Martin Davies), two independent non-executive Directors (Tim Griffin and Aileen Richards), 14 District Appointed Directors and the chief executive (Martyn Phillips).
The basic principle of the new proposals is that the WRU Board would be reduced to 12: two National Directors, five Club Directors, the Chair of a newly formed Club Rugby Board, the Chair of a newly formed Professional Rugby Board, two independent non-executive Directors (as is currently the case) and the WRU chief executive.
“This will make us more agile and better at setting the direction for rugby in Wales,” added Davies.
“We will also improve diversity in our governance, meaning we will better represent the interests of everyone involved in our game and set term limits for board members giving the Union a balance between experience and fresh thinking, with individual Board members having a range of expertise, able to provide more focus on specific areas of the game.
“The proposal will enable us to achieve our aim of streamlining and modernising how we run the game.”
