The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled next week (Monday) will still be held, despite the authors of the requisition notice withdrawing their support for the tabled resolutions.
Due to the way the WRU’s constitution is written, and in accordance with company law, once an EGM is called it must proceed to allow the membership to debate its relevant issues.
The WRU wrote to member clubs yesterday to check if any members object to the resolutions being withdrawn from the EGM given that 40 of the original 50 member clubs that requisitioned the meeting proactively withdrew their support.
If clubs respond to this letter requesting to keep the resolutions on the table, the EGM will open with members being asked to consent to the withdrawal of the resolutions. If consent is not obtained, the EGM will continue as originally planned and members will vote on the three resolutions.
If no objections are received, the EGM will take place as an informal meeting which will include a presentation about the “Future of Rugby in Wales” followed by an open and informal discussion.
The final point to consider is that the quorum for a WRU general meeting is 95 clubs or more (either virtually, in person or by proxy) in order for it to begin without delay, if resolutions are to be considered.
With this in mind, WRU President Terry Cobner has called for clubs to attend for a full and open discussion about the future of the professional game in Wales, regardless of their viewpoint on the initial EGM resolutions.
“We are embracing the EGM as an opportunity to discuss important matters about the future of the game in Wales with our membership,” said Cobner.
“We are calling on all member clubs to attend, either in person or virtually (or proxy), so that they can listen once again to our plans, but also so that they can contribute openly and so that we can hear their views.
“Of course, we will also be fully prepared to host voting on the three resolutions that had been tabled should that be required.
“But, it is vitally important that we hear from our full membership and we are looking forward to, at the very least, a healthy and constructive debate on this issue and others.
“We relish this chance for Welsh rugby to gather as one and hope that member clubs are able to answer the call to attend in their numbers.”