{"id":539659,"date":"2025-10-31T10:53:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T10:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/539659\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:53:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T10:53:16","slug":"wrus-jamie-roberts-speaks-out-i-stand-by-decision-a-really-key-point-got-lost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/539659\/","title":{"rendered":"WRU’s Jamie Roberts speaks out: I stand by decision, a really key point got lost"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘If we want to make change for the good, it’s going to be difficult for players, for fans, for all stakeholders in the game,’ explained Wales icon Jamie Roberts<\/p>\n

09:58, 31 Oct 2025Updated 10:17, 31 Oct 2025<\/p>\n

\"JamieWRU board member Jamie Roberts says one key detail has been missed in the midst of the chaos(Image: Pic by Rob Browne)<\/p>\n

Welsh Rugby Union board member Jamie Roberts says the right decision has been made to cut the number of regions to three.<\/a> After a long consultation process between stakeholders in the game, a decision was announced one week ago that there will be three teams in Wales going forward.<\/a><\/p>\n

The WRU’s initial plan was to cut to two teams but this was met with a fiercely negative response from fans, players and clubs, with some supporters even staging protests.<\/a><\/p>\n

Within the next few years, there are plans to have a team based in Cardiff<\/a>, one in the east and one in the west – the biggest change in the Welsh game since the inception of the regions in 2003.<\/a><\/p>\n

Welsh legend Roberts, who was part of the iconic golden generation under Warren Gatland<\/a>, is now a non-executive board member at the Union alongside his commitments as a doctor and pundit. He was part of the 12-strong WRU board who unanimously passed through the plan and insists it had to be done, no matter how difficult the fallout.<\/p>\n

He also believes one of the key changes, in terms of the investment going into younger players, understandably got a little lost amid the headline act of a side being cut.<\/p>\n

“The last couple of months has been very busy,” Roberts told WalesOnline in an exclusive interview. “A lot of information coming in to the Welsh Rugby Union board from the consultation process, which is a whole bible of information from all the stakeholders in the game in Wales.<\/p>\n

“And I do think it was really important to involve everyone in that decision-making. But I guess it was a common theme across everything that people want change, right? We can’t continue doing what we’re doing and hoping we miraculously start winning at club and country level again. So, a medium to long-term decision has been made.”<\/p>\n

He continued: “I honestly think, you put all that information, qualitative, quantitative information, in front of any 10 people in Wales with a love for the game in Wales, they’d come to the same decision. And that’s the honesty of it. I’m confident we’ve made the right decision.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, lost among the headlines of the four to three is a record investment in our pathway and a record investment in our academy, which is not only going to produce more players, but more players of higher quality. And I think that’s obviously important. That’s stating the obvious. But investing heavily in what’s coming underneath and concentrating the talent at the top of our game is ultimately what we’ve done.”<\/p>\n

\"JamieJamie Roberts stands behind the decision(Image: Pic by Rob Browne)<\/p>\n

Roberts pointed to the fact previous consultations commissioned by past WRU regimes have discussed the idea of going to three regions, so it’s not a brand new concept: “A lot of the previous consultations down the years that have taken place – not that I was around during that period – have said go to three clubs. But there’s never been a pressure like there is today to do that.<\/p>\n

“Obviously, Wales maybe previously have been winning tournaments, have been winning championships and the club sides potentially winning the league and being more competitive. But I guess because of the state of play where we are today and all the factors at play, as a board, we felt it was the right decision to be brave and make that decision. And I stand behind that.<\/p>\n

“Last week was a landmark day in Welsh rugby. Making that decision. How we get there is another conversation. That’s obviously in the executive’s hands as we navigate the next year or two, isn’t it? But I think for players, change is always difficult. Change is always difficult. If we want to make change for the good, it’s going to be difficult for players, for fans, for all stakeholders in the game.<\/p>\n

Watch the Autumn Nations Series on TNT Sports<\/p>\n

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a>\"Content<\/p>\n

\u00a330.99<\/p>\n

TNT Sports<\/p>\n

Get TNT Sports here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rugby Autumn Nations Series gets underway on November 1 with Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland among the teams in action. Fans can watch every game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.<\/p>\n

“And I fully respect that as a former player who loves the game in Wales. And I resonate really passionately with supporters across the whole of Wales. And change is going to be painful.<\/p>\n

“To have our club sides and the Test side dining at the top table again, this is a necessary change. And I think for players, it’s just like, I guess, when you’re going through contract negotiations or you’ve got stuff going on with family at home, I think as players, you try and find a way. I think all players at all times in their career always have something going on in the background.<\/p>\n

“So there’s a lot of noise around it. This is not just rugby players. This is sports people in general. I think from my experiences in the game, you have to find a way to shut it out and put it to the back of your mind. This is not, as I said, it’s not just rugby players. It’s not just Welsh rugby players.<\/p>\n

“There’s always things happening for all sports people in the background. And I think as a professional, you find a way to put that to one side. The excitement of being in that red jersey in November in front of a vociferous crowd in Cardiff<\/a> is a hugely exciting one for these lads.”<\/p>\n

Jamie Roberts will be working for TNT Sports during the Quilter Nations Series. Watch every match of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+<\/a> from 1-29 November.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our<\/strong> free daily newsletter here<\/strong><\/a> and our <\/strong>WhatsApp channel here<\/strong><\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can also follow us on social media on our <\/strong>X account<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Instagram<\/strong><\/a> and<\/strong> TikTok.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can <\/strong>sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n