Wales
Support grows for Davies as WRU's new chairman
ESPN Staff
September 15, 2014
Gareth Davies commentates, Wales v Australia, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, November 28, 2009
Gareth Davies is a front-runner to be the WRU's new chairman © Getty Images
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Cardiff Blues chief Peter Thomas has backed Gareth Davies to be the Welsh Rugby Union's new chairman.

Current chairman David Pickering will leave his role next month having failed to gain re-election to the WRU's board of directors. For Thomas, there is one clear candidate to replace him - ex-Wales international and current Dragons CEO Davies.

"You look at the board...with the greatest respect, there is no-one there of stature or personality or track record in business, media, rugby that comes close to Gareth," Thomas told Wales Online. "What any board wants is leadership and with David gone, Gareth is the obvious one in my view. I know all the guys there. They are good strong, sound rugby men representing their districts.

"But they are not men to go out onto the world stage. You need gravitas. Having worked with Gareth for many years and been a close associate of his, I have watched his career very carefully. He has massive business experience. He has done all the jobs, be it a CEO in regional rugby, a vice-chancellor of a university, a CEO of PLCs.

"He is also ideally suited as a Welsh speaking, ex-international. He is 58 years of age now. He is at an age and a stage where he would be the number one choice for Welsh rugby on the world stage. When we go to Twickenham or Murrayfield or to Dublin, everybody knows Gareth Davies. I think he is the stand-out candidate."

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