WRU chief Roger Lewis is hoping for a good year on and off the pitch in 2009 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Regions hit WRU with court action

News: Ospreys make bid for USA boss Johnson

News: Welsh regions provide player boost for Six Nations

News: Gatland's tour plans left in tatters

Features: Wales cannot rest on its laurels

News: WRU and regions strike tour deal

News: Lydon takes key WRU role

News: WRU named best union

Players/Officials: Roger Lewis | Warren Gatland

Tournaments/Tours: Celtic League | Six Nations | Six Nations Under-20's | Celtic League

Teams: Wales

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Roger Lewis has confidently predicted that the long-running row with the country's regions will be resolved in 2009.

The two sides have been embroiled in a bitter row over recent months surrounding regional funding and the release of players for international duty with the latter dispute reaching the High Court ahead of the November internationals.

Regional Rugby Wales Ltd (RRW), the umbrella organisation which represents the Scarlets, Ospreys, Blues and Dragons, more recently rejected the WRU's new participation deal that had been under discussion since last summer. Instead David Moffett, the RRW interim chief executive and former WRU chief, confirmed the regions would be exercising their right to extend the current rugby charter for another five years.

However, speaking in his in his new year address published on the union's official website, Lewis spoke of his hope for the new year.

"Off the field, I look forward to 2009 with confidence because I know that we are well placed to concentrate our efforts in the right direction which is the development of the game in Wales," said Lewis. "The four regions prior to Christmas elected to continue with the current agreement for a further five years and we were all very pleased with that decision.

"Progress is now being made with our four regions aimed at formulating a new operating agreement for the future and, although I won't hide from the fact there have been difficulties, we are now on the right track.

"The process so far has generated some lurid headlines about squabbles and problems, but I can assure everyone involved in Welsh rugby I have never lost my respect and admiration for those people out in the regions who genuinely care about the WRU, Wales and Welsh rugby and are committed to developing Welsh players. We will get there."

Lewis' confidence also extended to his belief that the WRU are well-placed to brace the pressures of the current economic climate. "We have enjoyed recent success financially as a union and we have built management, operational and rugby development teams capable of delivering our strategic plans," added Lewis.

"Of course there are formidable challenges immediately ahead of us, but right now the Welsh Rugby Union has the people, the structures and the operational systems to go forward with vigour and meet any problems head on. We know the challenges of the economic downturn will be demanding, but we are in good shape to cope with this in the year ahead.

"The executive board of the WRU has worked tirelessly this year to get the deals done well ahead of the current financial downturn. Our major sponsorship agreements are in place, we are close to finalising our new broadcast agreements and the demand for tickets for the imminent Six Nations home internationals against England and Ireland can give us all confidence."

And Lewis also singled out new head of rugby development Joe Lydon and national coach Warren Gatland for particular praise. "I said I would take my time after the lessons of the past year and ensure we got the right man," added Lewis. "I am delighted that we have been able to welcome Joe Lydon on board and we will begin to reap the benefit of his appointment.

"Joe's knowledge of the game at the highest level, accompanied by his management skills, makes him the right man, the wait was worth it. He joins my executive board and he has already got stuck in to the job at hand.

"With Warren and his team taking the senior squad brilliantly forward and Joe looking after the wider spectrum of Welsh rugby, we are in safe hands. Without doubt, Warren's arrival in Wales has been quite simply outstanding and I look forward to continue working with him right through the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

"Other rugby nations around the world are rightly jealous of the talent and expertise we have been able to muster. All of the Welsh backroom coaching and management staff is superb.

"In Craig White we have the best conditioning coach in world rugby. That's why he is going on the Lions tour. Furthermore, Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards have been recognised as world-class coaches this year and so to they will head off to South Africa, along with one of the sharpest analysts in the game, our own Rhys Long."

Lewis also made assurances that the WRU would provide assistance to the Principality Welsh Premiership and the grassrots game.

"Again the WRU is alert to the tough challenges faced by our Premiership clubs, but their importance to the development of the game in Wales is unquestioned and their success and sustainability is a genuine priority for the WRU," added Lewis. "Joe Lydon has begun a dialogue with them and they know the union is and always has been committed to them.

"What all this means is that we are not shying away from problems, but we are facing them in the knowledge that we, as a union and a fellowship, are strong enough to tackle them. The WRU is very aware that some of our clubs will find the going tough so we are determined, as a union, to deliver the right advice and help where we can to make them as efficient as possible in order to achieve sustainability.

"We are already distributing financial help, over a £1m, to improve community club facilities and the effort will not stop there. Over Christmas we announced income generated by recent the VAT reduction which affects Six Nations tickets will be spent on initiatives to help community clubs."