Welsh Rugby
WRU keen to keep hold of Lewis
ESPNscrum Staff
December 7, 2011
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis, Wales press conference, Grand Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand, October 17, 2011
WRU chief executive Roger Lewis has reportedly been subject to an approach from headhunters working on behalf of the WRU © Getty Images
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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is determined to retain the services of chief executive Roger Lewis after he was reportedly the subject of an approach from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The Western Mail reports that Lewis has been contacted by headhunting firm Odgers & Berndtson, the company tasked with providing a shortlist of candidates for a new chief executive at the RFU. English rugby's governing body is still reeling from John Steele's brief tenure in the Twickenham hotseat with Stephen Brown currently in temporary charge following the recent resignation of acting chief executive Martyn Thomas.

The RFU have previously stated their desire to have a new chief executive in place later this month with Lewis a clear contender having impressed during his five year spell at Wales' Millennium Stadium HQ. However, the WRU have already secured the long-term future of head coach Warren Gatland and his support staff, including Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, and WRU chairman Dai Pickering is determined to add Lewis' name to that list.

"I think that stability is very important and that the WRU shows that in terms of key staff, which is the case with Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and the rest of the coaching team," he said. "We were very happy to appoint Roger and he was my choice.

"He has done a great job. We are determined to keep him in Wales and for him to continue with the fantastic job he has been doing. It is an extremely exciting time with Olympic football matches at the Millennium Stadium next year and the Rugby World Cup 2015 coming to Wales.

"There is plenty for people to get stuck into. We have an excellent rapport with Roger. I believe he is happy and settled in Wales where he is doing a great job. Roger has been very successful for the union and we want to continue that arrangement."

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