Welsh Rugby

Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:21 pm on 6 March 2019.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 3:21, 6 March 2019

On your sentiment there, Minister, I do fully agree with you. The governance of the game in Wales is completely in the hands of the Welsh Rugby Union, and so should be the case. But I think many fans are punch-drunk by some of the developments that have happened, and I saw just a couple of minutes ago a news report saying that the merger is off the table. But from the grass roots right up to international level, there is grave concern over the current proposals that have been put forward—whether they would be lasting, whether they would be durable. Again, I reiterate the point: I'm not calling on the Welsh Government to indicate that they've been involved in these discussions, but I would have thought that the Welsh Government would have a view as to how they would like to see the Welsh game develop given the strength of grass-roots rugby and, obviously, the implications for many of the messages that Welsh Government brings out about sport and inclusivity. And so, given that the Welsh Government put £853,000, I think, into the game, can you assure us that you will keep a watching brief on this particular subject? You did, in your earlier answer, indicate that you had had thoughts about the Irish model; are those personal thoughts of yours or are they thoughts that have been developed by the Government as maybe a solution to some of the challenges that the Welsh game faces?