WRU takeover secures Cardiff Rugby’s future amidst wider Welsh rugby shake-up

Local TV Sport

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has acquired Cardiff Rugby, securing the club’s future after it entered administration. The WRU paid approximately £780 thousand pounds and assuming £300 thousand in debt.  This move ensures the continuation of professional rugby at Cardiff Arms Park, preserving around 150 jobs and honoring existing commitments such as season tickets and sponsorships.

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00:00The Welsh Rugby Union has acquired Cardiff Rugby, securing the club's future after it entered

00:08administration. They paid approximately £780,000 for the club, assuming £300,000 in debt. This

00:17move ensures the continuation of professional rugby at Cardiff Arms Park, preserving around

00:22150 jobs and honouring existing commitments as season tickets and sponsorships.

00:30Following the acquisition, Cardiff Rugby had signed the new professional rugby agreement,

00:34a five-year deal that increases central funding from £4.5 to £6.5 million a season. However,

00:41the Scarletts and Ospreys are yet to sign the agreement, expressing concerns over the

00:46implication of the WIU's ownership of Cardiff. WIU CEO Abbey Tierney emphasised the importance

00:54of Cardiff Rugby to the national rugby landscape, stating the acquisition aligns with the

00:59One Wales strategy aimed at unifying and strengthening the sport across the country.

01:06The WIU plans to treat Cardiff as an independent club and is seeking private investors to ensure

01:12its long-term sustainability. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt, who took over in August

01:182023, has been instrumental during this transition period. In addition to his role at Cardiff,

01:25Sherratt served the interim head coach role for the Wales national team during the 2025 Six

01:30Nations following Warren Gatlin's departure. Although he led the team through a challenging

01:35period, Sherratt has stated it's not in his best interest to seek the position permanently.

01:42Disappointed I couldn't get some smiles on faces in that changing room. That's probably my regret today,

01:49but I'll be as honest as I can because there's no point in not being as honest as I can. So I'll do

01:56whatever's best for the Welsh game and this group of players.

02:00The WIU's acquisition of Cardiff Rugby marks a significant step in stabilising professional rugby

02:06in Wales with hopes that it will lead to a more unified and competitive future for the sport.

02:12So I'll do it.

02:24So I'll make a lot of advice.

02:26So I'll do it.

02:27So I'll do it.

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