Wru Boss Tierney To Step Away After Cancer Diagnosis

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) main executive Abi Tierney will measurement distant from her domiciled aft being diagnosed pinch cancer.

Tierney will return clip distant from her duties from 22 August to acquisition treatment, pinch nary return day given.

"This has not been an easy decision, but it is 1 I must make to attraction afloat connected my wellness and recovery," she said.

"I americium grateful for nan support I person already received from my family, friends, and colleagues, and I americium assured successful nan team's expertise to proceed our activity during my absence.

"I kindly inquire for knowing and privateness during this time."

Chair Richard Collier-Keywood will return impermanent wide complaint of nan governing body.

Tierney took complete nan position successful January 2024 and has overseen a turbulent clip successful Welsh rugby.

Collier-Keywood said: "Everyone progressive pinch Welsh rugby wish Abi good complete this play and nan WRU is committed to supporting her during this time.

"In my domiciled arsenic chair, I will proceed to person wide work for nan WRU and successful bid to supply screen and springiness Abi nan abstraction she needs, will beryllium much progressive successful nan contiguous future.

"Abi and nan committee person recruited a beardown executive squad which will proceed to lead nan WRU connected a day-to-day basis."

Tierney's absence comes arsenic nan Welsh home crippled is being reviewed pinch nan WRU considering cutting nan number of master sides from 4 to two.

Collier-Keywood and head of rugby and elite capacity Dave Reddin will now oversee that process.

The WRU is expected to present its preferred solution imminently, to beryllium followed by a six-week consultation earlier a last determination owed successful October.

"The astir important taxable connected our schedule correct now is nan consultation connected nan early of elite rugby successful Wales," said Collier-Keywood.

"This will beryllium led by Dave Reddin, arsenic a personnel of nan executive, and I will return wide work for its successful delivery.

"We will beryllium moving intimately pinch committee members including Malcolm Wall arsenic chair of nan Professional Rugby Board, Amanda Bennett who leads astatine committee level connected our women's crippled and Andrew Williams."