Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Welsh Rugby Union chairman David Pickering has failed in his bid for re-election to the board of the governing body, with Gareth Davies and Anthony Buchanan finishing ahead of him in the ballot.

It will bring an end to Pickering’s 11 year tenure as chairman of the Union’s board of directors, with the former Wales skipper finishing in the post in October. A new chairman will now have to be chosen from the 18-strong board at next month’s AGM.

Pickering was one of five candidates for two available national appointed director posts, with Dragons chief executive Davies, Llanelli RFC head of rugby Buchanan, Newton’s Dai Davies and Cefneithin’s Dennis Jones also standing.

One of the two places was made vacant by the resignation of Gerald Davies, while the 23-times capped Pickering, who went on to be Wales team manager, was seeking re-election.

Following a ballot of the member clubs, Gareth Davies and Buchanan have come out on top.

Two new district appointed directors - Chris Morgan (District D) and David Young (District B) - have also beenvoted in.

The 18-strong board will be reformed with its new members at the WRU’s AGM on Sunday 19th October, with the incumbents remaining in position until that time.

Pickering will relinquish his position as chairman of the WRU following October’s AGM and leaves the WRU Board after a 15 year term, although he will remain on the board of Rugby World Cup Ltd, to which he was appointed by the International Rugby Board.

“I want to be the first to publicly congratulation both Anthony and Gareth on winning the vote,” said Pickering.

“I know both of them personally, they are great rugby men and I will be offering them all the help I can as they join the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.”

Pickering first rose to prominence in the administration side of the game when he was team manager to Graham Henry’s Wales.

He became chairman of the WRU board in 2003, with the WRU’s net bank debt reducing from £72m to its current position of £15m during his tenure.

“This has been achieved through incredible business performance of the WRU group and support from major partners in Barclays bank and British Telecom, through debt forgiveness, in a deal which had the support of a great friend of Welsh rugby, the Welsh secretary at the time Peter Hain,” said Pickering.

“We have also had significant Welsh government support during Rhodri Morgan’s time, when we were able return Wales to the Welsh 7s circuit which resulted in Wales’ only World Cup title in any sport in 2009.

“In 2007 Bernard Lapasset, the then chairman of the FFR and IRB, helped us greatly in our negotiations to bring the Rugby World Cup to Wales and we were privileged to host matches alongside the host nation France.

“A strong relationships with Martyn Thomas at the RFU and latterly with Bill Beaumont has ensured that the Millennium Stadium will once again host rugby’s showpiece tournament, with eight matches from the England 2015 competition having been secured for Cardiff.”

Pickering will continue in office until October, when he says he will bring a series of governance reforms to the attention of the WRU’s AGM with a view to passing a series of measures.

“I hope to introduce governance reforms which include the introduction of non-executive directors, women on the board of the WRU with limited terms of office for directors all of which I believe are essential for the long term integrity of a truly great governing sports body,” he said.

“When I took on the role of chairman I wanted to bring success back to Wales and I realised that selection of personnel, management and leadership where key.

“Changing the union to a corporate structure in 2003 was integral to its success and the appointments of both Warren and Roger have left their own marks on the successful history of the WRU.

“I came into rugby administration with the singular aim to drive Wales to success on and off the rugby field.

“The last 11 years will be known as a great rugby era and we have maintained fabulous business success, which has been responsible for the IRB pointing out two outstanding countries in the world to be punching above their weight in Wales and New Zealand.

“I could not have hoped to achieve any more, I’m hugely pleased with the great success Wales has had and I am delighted to have played my part in Welsh rugby history.

“I will always support Wales and rugby and its great ethical values of respect team work and fair play. I leave Welsh rugby as a true great Welsh institution and a brand leader in the world today.”

Over the period of this chairmanship Pickering has also committed substantial time and effort to supporting his major charity the NSPCC in Wales and chaired the ‘building brighter future’ NSPCC appeal, helping to raise over £8million pound over eight years.

He has enticed others from the world of rugby and celebrity to climb mountains throughout the world from Everest to Machu Pichu to Table Mountain and Kilimanjaro.

“I’m especially proud of my wife Justine who has not only supported me throughout my time at the Welsh Rugby Union but also established the Ty Hapus Alzheimer’s charity based in the Vale of Glamorgan herself,” he added.

“I would like to personally thank her and the children for their unfailing support allowing me the privilege of working as hard as I possibly can for the good of Welsh rugby and the world game.”

(Image: Huw Evans Agency, Cardiff)

The Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis, said: “The clubs of Welsh rugby have spoken in an open and transparent election process.

“I want to personally thank David Pickering for his exceptional service to the game in Wales as a player and an administrator who has earned the respect of all involved in rugby.

“He has chaired the WRU and the Millennium Stadium boards with great distinction over the past twelve years. Under his chairmanship Wales has won three Grand Slams, reached a Rugby World Cup semi-final and has supported community rugby with record investments.

“I also wish to congratulate Anthony and Gareth who are two rugby men who made their reputations as players and, off the field, either through coaching or administration. I also give my best wishes to David Young and Chris Morgan and welcome them onto the Board as district representatives.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland said: “I want to personally thank David Pickering for the incredible support he has given me and the entire national squad.

“He has shown strength, integrity and loyalty at all times and I wish him well in his future. He was involved in my recruitment and we worked closely together ever since.”

Blues chairman Peter Thomas said: “I am delighted that two rugby men have been elected in Gareth Davies and Anthony Buchanan.

“They will add a lot of fresh life to the board which is badly needed.

“But I feel that in losing David Pickering Wales has lost of one its finest men and ambassadors on the world stage.

“Nobody has done more for Wales on the international and world stage over the last 10 years.

“He has been a shining light in what has been a tortuous time.”

Three of the WRU’s current District Representatives who, like Pickering, had completed current three year terms, stood unopposed. Ken Hewitt, Ray Wilton and Richard Gwynn are consequently installed for a further three year term following the AGM.

WRU President Dennis Gethin is unopposed and will therefore continue to serve in office for a further three year term following the AGM.