Jamie Roberts gets powerful new WRU job as major announcement made

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts has been appointed to the board of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Roberts takes on the powerful role as one of the Union’s new independent directors, with Amanda Bennett and Jennifer Mathias also appointed in a significant move. Centre Roberts played 94 times for Wales and won two Grand Slams and a Six Nations Championship – all while studying medicine and, later, gaining further degrees from both Loughborough and Cambridge Universities.

The appointments of Bennett and Mathias also signal a positive change of direction at the WRU, with its stated aim to become a modern, thriving organisation fit for 2src23 and beyond.

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Bennett, a former Welsh international who has played, coached and led women’s rugby over a 4src-year career, takes up the new position of independent Non-Executive Director (iNED) with specific experience of the Women’s and Girls’ game at both professional and community levels.

Mathias brings impressive financial pedigree. She describes herself as a ‘deeply commercial’ CFO, working for the London Stock Exchange listed wealth management firm Rathbones.

Speaking of his new iNED role, Roberts said: “As a recently retired international player I have an immense passion for Welsh rugby. It is a huge honour to take on a position of responsibility and influence during such an important period for the game in Wales.

“My experiences across the world have provided me with a varied and valuable insight into high performance from a player’s perspective and I relish the opportunity to harness my experience and knowledge on and off the playing field to contribute further to the WRU and a sport that has shaped my life.”

Current iNEDs Cat Read an