Jamie Roberts says 'significant change' coming to WRU and denies conflict of interest
Wales legend Jamie Roberts says "significant change" will be made within the Welsh Rugby Union over the coming months.
As part of a lengthy to-do list, the union are currently searching for a new men's head coach after the departure of Warren Gatland as well as a new director of rugby.
And while there is a renewed sense of optimism around Welsh rugby after a much-improved performance against Ireland under interim boss Matt Sherratt, WRU board member Roberts insists those making decisions at the top of the game will "not be blinded" by short-term matters as he warned against "false dawns".
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Speaking to The Times, the former centre said: "Certainly the decision-makers won’t be blinded by [the Ireland performance]. They won’t. There’s going to be a significant change in the next six months in the Welsh Rugby Union."
After explaining that such change will not involve reducing the number of Welsh regions, Roberts also clarified the terms on which he took up his role on the board in 2023. The three-time Six Nations winner has faced accusations of conflicting interests given his position on the board and his TV punditry roles, with the latter seeing him criticise Wales' performances under Gatland.
"I took that [WRU] role on the premise that I could still work in the media and critically appraise the Welsh national team," he said. "That was the agreement. I wouldn’t say anything on TV that I wouldn’t say in the boardroom.”
After Gatland hit back at Roberts' criticism - and claimed that he and some his former teammates wouldn't have their new media careers without the success he helped them to during their playing days - the former Cardiff man said he stands by his comments and encouraged the New Zealander to "pick up the phone".
"You’ve got to be true to your opinion,” he said. “That’s why you’re there. I’d never speak badly of Warren, I respect the bloke too much. But I’d like to think that if he did have an issue with anything I said, give us a text. He’s got the number. It’s never personal.
“I worked in a very honest environment under Warren, I think that works the other way as well. There’s no room for sentiment at the top level and he’d be the first person to tell you that. If he ever had an issue with anything, pick up the phone."
The WRU and four Welsh pro teams are set to finalise a new rugby agreement in the coming weeks that will see the Union take greater control in rugby matters in exchange for taking on debt at the clubs.
