The Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) new chairman has been named Ieuan Evans.Former Welsh and British and Irish Lions winger Ieuan Evans
Rob Butcher resigned after two years in the position, succeeding Evans, who is also chairman of the Lions board.
The 58-year-old has been vice-chair since 2021, and on Monday, he was promoted to president of the governing body of Welsh rugby.
“It is a huge honor for me to take up the position,” Evans stated.
“I have every intention of repaying my fellow directors and member clubs for their faith in me.”
“That means taking on the responsibility of governance reform set in motion by my predecessors and driving change for the better in Welsh rugby with both hands,”
The previous Shower, Llanelli, and Carmarthen Quins player were chosen for the WRU’s public gathering in 2020 and was quickly chosen for the board.
He will continue to represent Welsh rugby on the World Rugby Council in addition to his new position.
Since the national men’s team only won three games in 2022 and Wayne Pivac’s future as head coach has been hotly debated, Evans has a lot on his plate from day one.
Additionally, the communities and regions are struggling.
Evans, however, stated: We have a lot to be proud of thanks to our community game, in which our clubs act as the hubs of their respective cities, towns, and villages.
“We are aware that we need to change and move forward, and we should continue to be ambitious and proud of our professional game accomplishments.
“In the days, weeks, months, and years to come, this will be my mantra. The Welsh Rugby Union has a single primary goal: to guarantee our game’s longevity and success.”
According to the quotation, “We must listen, we must bring about change where it is necessary, and we must continue to strive to be so much greater than the sum of our parts.”
Evans was described as a “hugely popular and significant figure” in the boardroom and a respected figure throughout world rugby by Steve Phillips, CEO of the WRU.
Phillips stated, “We are delighted to be able to appoint a figurehead of the stature of Ieuan, who knows our game inside and out.”There is a lot to do during these exciting times for Welsh rugby.
“I am aware that, like the rest of the board, he has strong opinions about modernizing governance and knows everything there is to know about our professional game.
“I am aware that his style and intelligence will immediately affect the position of the chair.I am eager to work with him to plan the future of our game together.
Evans made his debut for Wales against France in 1987, and in 1989, 1993, and 1997, he toured with the Lions.
Two of his career highlights are the decisive try that clinched the series in the third Lions Test against Australia in 1989 and his four tries on the 1993 tour to New Zealand.
Evans was awarded an MBE in 1996 for his contributions to rugby.
He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014 and the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.