Dragons RFC have described the Welsh Rugby Union’s plans ‘not viable’ in statement following talks with the Union over control of rugby decisions.

The club met with the WRU this week, reportedly leaving early, after the Union presented it’s plan for the future of the region.

Under the proposed new structure the WRU want to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three with one based in Cardiff, on in the east and one in the west.

This means the Dragons are highly likely to survive but the WRU are asking the funding directors to continue to put their own money in, but relinquish control over the rugby side of the business.

The WRU have also expressed the desire to centrally contract every player.

In a statement, the Dragons say that those plans are “not viable or desirable.”

The statement reads: “Under the current WRU proposals professional clubs would have no control over rugby decisions including coaching, player recruitment and selection. For Dragons RFC this is not viable or desirable, but we have consistently sought a constructive discussion on how to improve the Union’s plans.

“Dragons RFC, represented by David Wright and Rhys Blumberg, duly met with the WRU on 6th November having previously made public our position on this key issue of governance, we anticipated a constructive and meaningful engagement.”

With telling detail, the Dragons demonstrate their disappointment with how the Union has handled the early negotiations.

“Ten minutes ahead of the meeting we were sent a 50-slide pack by the Welsh Rugby Union,” the statement continues.

“Shortly after the meeting started, it became clear and apparent that the WRU was not inclined to make amendments to their proposed governance arrangements. We therefore left the meeting soon after. In short, nothing had changed, the WRU was still insisting on controlling all rugby related matters and demanding that they directly employing players, coaches and all support staff.

“Central management by the WRU of all rugby operations is not acceptable, nor is it in the interests of club owners, who expect to be fully responsible and accountable for rugby operations, a key and fundamental element of the club and business we bought.

“Having now had time to review the WRU proposal in full, we also noted a new set of financial commitments demanded from owners, which had not been aired prior to 6th November 2025 and which are both unacceptable and off market.”

The funding directors will also be expected to pay back the Covid loan which now totals in the region of £7m per club, with two sides deciding against taking out the full loan at the time.

“Rugby and the business that sustains it do not live in separate worlds,” David Wright, Chairman of Dragons RFC, commented as part of the statement.

“At the Dragons there is no prospect of signing up to any structure that strips the club of control over what happens on the field. Supporters understand instinctively that their team must be selected by their own club. They will not throw their heart behind a side assembled anywhere other than Rodney Parade.

“We will go on pressing for a settlement that respects supporters, serves the club and strengthens the national game. The WRU must now pause, think again and reconsider both its position on governance and the financial terms it has placed on the table.”

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