Welsh rugby: WRU was in denial on sexism –acting chief exec

THERE were “warning signs” of sexism in Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) but the organisation was “in denial”, its acting chief executive has said.

Nigel Walker apologised when questioned by a Senedd committee on Thursday.

He said work is underway to publish a redacted version of an “uncomfortable” unpublished report into women’s rugby.

Mr Walker spoke at a culture and sport hearing into allegations of sexism and misogyny aired by BBC Wales Investigates.

At the session Welsh government sports minister Dawn Bowden said she “did what I could” to address the claims before the programme was aired.

A Labour MP had said on Wednesday that the Welsh government was aware of the claims after they were raised in the

Commons last year.

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips resigned at the weekend, while the union has announced an “external taskforce” will be created to review accusations of sexism, misogyny and racism.

Mr Walker said the name of the person appointed to chair a taskforce to review the culture within the WRU should be announced on Friday.

He says she is a woman with experience of working in the judiciary.

“I think in any organisation, especially a large organisation like the Welsh Rugby Union, it’s possible for things to happen over a period of time and for people to turn a blind eye and not to address those problems.” the final of the 400m flat.

“So the warning signs have been there for quite some time,” Mr Walker said.

The three-time world gold medallist’s stunning performances have led many to wonder when she might switch her attention to that event, in which Marita Koch’s record of 47.6 seconds has stood for 37 years.

“There’s room in both to accomplish great things and continue pushing my times,” said McLaughlin-Levrone, who will come up against world 200m champion Shericka Jackson on

Saturday.

“I haven’t ran the 400 competitively in a few years. Once we decide what is best for 2023, that’s what we’ll do.

“I think anything is possible. It’s just a matter of preparation, determination and putting all the pieces together on the day.”

Lyles powered home in 19.31 seconds to lead an American clean sweep in the world final and edge closer to eight-time Olympic champion Bolt’s record mark of

19.19s set in 2009.

Not lacking in confidence, the 25-year-old, a bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, said he knew “three weeks before” that he would win the world title.

“I always knew this was my race to win,” Lyles said.

“I remember I got down and prayed and all of a sudden I heard the crowd. I looked up at the clock and I just went crazy, out of my mind, it was like a scene from a movie.”

Only Bolt and the Jamaican’s former team-mate Yohan Blake (19.26s) stand between Lyles and history as he sets his sights on the all-time fastest 200m performances.

On chasing down Bolt’s record, Lyles said: “Personally, I know it’s crazy to say, but I don’t think it will be that hard.”

He added: “I say that because I know my own journey. The work that I did in 2022 was not as big as it could have been, we held back in training more than we should have.

“Now that we have a new benchmark we are attacking this as if I am a 19.3 runner - and I am being forced to train like one.”

It means all signs point towards potentially seismic moments when Lyles and McLaughlin-Levrone take to the start line at this year’s World Championships in Budapest in August. (BBC)

Nigel Walker: “As an organisation we have been in denial as to the extent of the problem”

“When it’s presented as graphically as it was during that programme, the BBC Wales programme the week before last, it hits you like a 10-ton truck.”

He apologised and said his thoughts were with staff and players who had negative experiences.

“To be candid, I think as an organisation we have been in denial as to the extent of the problem,” he said.

The acting chief executive said that cases had been “in theory dealt with and people have moved on”.

“Each individual case has been an indication that there has been a wider problem but people have not joined the dots,” he said.

Mr Walker said an unpublished report commissioned by WRU into the women’s game “would not make comfortable reading” and work was being done to get a

“redacted version” published. “I personally have no objection to the report being released,” he said.

Mr Walker said Londonbased arbitration company Sports Resolution has been asked to set up the review but it will be the responsibility of the chairwoman to choose the other members of the panel, of which there will be three or four people.