The WRU will soon start the search for a new chair

The announcement that Richard Collier-Keywood will step down as chair of the Welsh Rugby Union in July has surprised many.

A divisive figure, Collier-Keywood sought to drive through radical reform but attracted significant criticism over his approach. The WRU board must now focus on identifying his successor.

Unlike in the past, the WRU board appoints the chair rather than the member clubs.

The board’s first decision is whether to pursue an internal or external appointment.

Should it opt for a new candidate from outside the current set-up, that individual would initially need to be appointed as a non-executive director, with subsequent elevation to chair being a formality.

Here are eight potential candidates.

David Buttress

The appointment of David Buttress would prove an immensely popular choice among some supporters.

Buttress has been a prominent figure in Welsh rugby for the past nine years and, as chair of the Dragons, played a central role in securing the club’s survival by assembling a consortium to purchase it from the WRU.

A co-founder of Just Eat, he ranks among Wales’s most accomplished entrepreneurs and merits serious consideration for the role.

Buttress has previously expressed frustration with Welsh rugby’s governance and would represent a breath of fresh air within the governing body, bringing a markedly different perspective.

He is a committed advocate for retaining four professional sides and has argued that the WRU ought to be capable of generating greater funding for the pro game for an organisation with a turnover of £107 million.

Responding on the social media platform X this morning to a question on Welsh rugby’s strategic direction, Buttress said: “The strategy is clear: four professional teams, stable and secure funding for three years, and a focus on directing key investment into player development and facilities.

“An urgent agreement must be reached with private owners, with the aim of establishing a genuine partnership to attract investment and sponsors.”

The only barrier would be he’d have to step away from the Dragons if he was to become WRU chair.

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Phillips has experience in Welsh rugby, having previously been CEO of the WRU for five years.

The man from Pembrokeshire, a former boss of retail giant B&Q, saw his tenure coincide with Wales reaching a World Cup semi-final and winning another Six Nations Grand Slam on the field.

Off the field, there were record turnovers for the union, while there was a rare period of success at regional level with the Scarlets winning the old PRO 12 and Cardiff lifting the Challenge Cup.

As CEO he put a huge amount of emphasis on building relationships with the four professional clubs and healing old wounds following the tumultuous reign of Roger Lewis.

Phillips is currently the chair of PRL and would be a decent person to come back to guide the CEO.

Carwyn Jones

The former First Minister for Wales is a huge rugby fan and has previously been interviewed for the role of chair but missed out to Collier-Keywood back in 2023.

Jones is thought to be hugely popular with many community clubs and many within the game favour the former First Minister becoming WRU chair.

The 59-year-old has no experience in elite rugby but could help improve the WRU’s reputation with the Welsh Government.

Moving forward, many would argue it is essential that the WRU works with the Welsh Government to improve the game at all levels.

Clearly Jones could help the WRU in this regard, but whatever happens next some tough decisions need to be made to fix the men’s professional game.

Andrew Williams

The former Cardiff board member is a serious operator and is heavily respected throughout the game.

Williams is currently an independent non-executive director on the WRU board who understands the professional game and what needs to be done to put it on a firm footing.

The wider Welsh public does not understand how much of a coup it is to have an A-lister like Williams on the board.

He was the longest serving FTSE 100 CEO in the UK at Halma PLC, where he stayed for 18 years.

Williams helped Halma grow from a business worth £500m into a company worth £10bn.

He would have the respect and trust of all key stakeholders, and he is also the right man to drive change.

Gareth Davies

The appointment of the former Wales outside-half would bring one of the most respected administrators in the game back to the fore. He previously served six years as chair of the WRU.

During his tenure, Davies worked diligently to modernise the WRU’s governance, reducing the board from 24 members to 12 and appointing high-profile non-executive directors, including Amanda Blanc.

He also sought to streamline the structure by reducing the nine districts to four in a further effort to modernise governance, but was ultimately forced out amid what many regard as the archaic and self-serving culture within Welsh rugby.

Davies combines deep rugby knowledge with a strong grasp of business, making him a compelling candidate.

He is also a figure capable of rebuilding trust.

Jennifer Mathias

The appointment of Jennifer Mathias would represent a credible and financially astute option.

Mathias, who hails from Pembrokeshire, has served on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union as an independent non-executive director since October 2023.

She previously held the role of group chief financial officer at Rathbones Group, a £1.2 billion wealth management business listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Mathias has also worked at Lloyds TSB Group, where she occupied a number of senior management positions.

In 2013, she was named in the PAM Top 40 Under 40.

She is well placed to succeed Richard Collier-Keywood and would represent a strong choice were the priority to improve the WRU’s financial position.

Critics of the WRU’s proposals to reduce the number of professional clubs to three have frequently argued that the governing body has lacked sufficient transparency in its financial dealings.

Whatever structure Welsh rugby ultimately adopts, it will be dictated by financial realities, and Mathias would constitute a compelling option.

Hayley Parsons

Parsons is arguably Wales’ most successful female entrepreneur and was previously on the Cardiff Rugby Board.

She founded Go.Compare and has helped build many successful Welsh businesses.

Parsons is a vocal critic of current chair, Collier-Keywood, so you can expect her approach to be the polar opposite if she were his successor.

“The Chair is extremely skilled in the world of government, consultancy and law, but that’s not what the WRU needs at the moment,” wrote Parsons in a letter sent to community clubs.

“We need people who understand how to engage with people – with WRU staff, community and regional rugby fans and stakeholders to bring them along on this journey.

“Spending millions of pounds on unnecessary consultants and legal fees will not repair the reputational damage this is causing Welsh rugby.

“This money should be ploughed back into the game. I believe we have some extremely credible and talented people on the WRU board who are more than capable of safeguarding the future of Welsh rugby.

“When you run a business, you have to make tough decisions and, what is crucial to the success of any strategic change is how you follow the process and treat the people affected.”

That’s a flavour of what to expect if Parsons was chair.

Rob Regan

The former chief operating officer at Principality is hugely passionate about Welsh rugby and has been meeting a number of key stakeholders within the game.

Along with a number of prominent figures, Regan has worked hard to put together an alternative plan for Welsh rugby.

Regan’s key principles would be built on repairing relationships and regaining trust with the key stakeholders in Welsh rugby.

He would certainly be a popular appointment.

Alison Thorne

If the WRU board want to go for continuity, then Thorne would be a serious contender given she is currently the Senior Independent Director.

Thorne has been on the WRU board for nearly three years so understands the pitfalls of Welsh rugby along with the true financial position.

Away from rugby Throne is the chair of the National Dance Company Wales and Barcud Housing Association.

Thorne has also been a chair of leading equality charity Chwarae Teg and is the lead in Wales for Women on Boards.

The Squires Egg Run 2026 sets off from Squires Motorbike Café near Selby and heads across the county to Pickering.

The annual rideout, involving motorbikes, trikes and scooters, benefits Yorkshire charities with participants asked to make cash donations and optional Easter eggs on arrival.

It will be directed and managed by marshals in hi-vis vests along a designated and fully marked route.

For the first time, North Yorkshire Police will be attending the event with police motorbikes, cars, a trailer, and a new high‑visibility digital display truck that will show safety messages to motorcyclists and other road users throughout the day.

Driving the route, the truck will display clear, timely reminders about safe riding, pre‑ride checks and the shared responsibility all road users have in keeping each other safe.

It aims to provide a visible reminder of the importance of road safety at the very start of the motorbike season in North Yorkshire when significantly more riders will head out onto the county’s 6,000 miles of road.

Marshals in orange hi‑vis will manage the fully marked route, with video recording in operation. Riders are asked to respect other road users and keep noise low through villages. The run concludes at Galtres Retreat with marshal guidance.

The police presence aims to ensure everyone gets home safely – motorcyclists are disproportionately represented in the number of road casualties and fatalities.

Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “The start of the biking season is always an exciting time, but sadly it’s also when we tend to see an increase in serious collisions.

“The digital display truck gives us a new, highly visible way to reach riders with simple but vital safety messages.

“Our aim isn’t to spoil anyone’s fun – it’s to help make sure everyone gets home safely.

“This Sunday’s activity marks the launch of our wider engagement plan with the motorcycle community for the busy summer months ahead”.

Asked if he was surprised by the reaction of the fans, Clarke said: “Yes and it disappointed me to be honest.

“It’s just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me.”

Scotland will face Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson on Tuesday night as further preparation for the World Cup group games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the summer.

Clarke, who expects to make six or seven changes to the side on Merseyside, believes that playing top nations in warm-up games is crucial in order to show his players the level required in North America.

He said: “It not a game that you want to lose. But I think there’s enough in that game against the opposition we played against to still feel positive about what we’re trying to do.

“We have another really tough game on Tuesday night in Liverpool against Ivory Coast.

“Sometimes, I think my players look at me and say ‘come on gaffer what are you doing?’ I always try to pick difficult friendlies.

“So another difficult one on Tuesday night and we’ll try and get a positive result to carry it forward, but if the performance is as good and you can take things from the performance, you can also carry that forward as well.

“That’s why we take the games. This is where you have to be at. This is this is the level you have to reach and if you want to get the points that are going to get you out of the group stage, you have to play to that standard.”

Middlesborough striker Tommy Conway was handed his first start on Saturday while Andy Robertson earned his 91st cap to go second-equal with former Aberdeen and Manchester United goalkeeper Jim Leighton.

Japan, on their way to their eighth successive World Cup finals, survived an early fright as Scott McTominay’s shot from 10 yards was pushed on to the post by keeper Zion Suzuki.

Cambridgeshire is full of pretty places to walk, but everyone will have their own favourite

The weather is getting warmer, so it’s time to step outside for some lovely walks. Cambridgeshire is full of fields, parks, and other pretty places to go for a stroll.

As well as keeping people fit, walking outside and enjoying nature has proven to benefit people’s mental health. There are also places that have pretty sights, so they are the perfect place for photography-lovers.

However, with so many places to choose from, we want to know where is the best and most scenic place to walk. We want to hear from CambridgeshireLive readers where the best and most scenic place is to walk in the county.

You can share your views on where the place is in the poll below. You can also share your thoughts on why you have chosen that option as the best place to walk. If you cannot access the poll, you can also access it here.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Rats are more common in spring as it’s peak breeding season, and experts warn that storing certain items outdoors can attract the rodents to your garden. Here’s what you need to know

The prospect of rats infiltrating your garden is universally unwelcome, which is why identifying straightforward deterrent methods is crucial. What many don’t realise is that spring is actually one of the peak seasons for rats attempting to access people’s properties, as it coincides with their breeding period, meaning homeowners must remain alert.

This results in heightened activity around homes, which means you’re more likely to encounter them in your garden throughout April. However, keeping certain items outdoors can actually lure them in, meaning you must be mindful about what you store in your garden and how these things are put away.

Indeed, there are several things demanding your attention this spring. Rats could infiltrate your property quite easily if you leave particular items outside.

As spring sunshine begins to emerge, most of us will be making trips to the garden centre to purchase soil and compost, and frequently, those extra bags end up stashed beneath the decking to maintain a tidy patio.

It appears a perfectly logical solution but, according to Allan Jeffrey, gardening expert at Ultra Decking, it’s amongst the most frequent ways homeowners inadvertently welcome pests into their garden.

Whilst compost might be excellent for your flowerbeds, it’s also a magnet for rodents and insects, especially when it’s positioned in the dark, damp environment that exists beneath most decking. There are several reasons it’s so appealing to the wrong sort of visitors.

Compost bags are brimming with organic matter and retain moisture, creating precisely the sort of warm, damp conditions that rats and mice seek out when nesting season begins in spring. And it’s not only rodents you need to worry about.

Ants and soil-dwelling insects are attracted to identical conditions and, once they’ve established themselves near your decking or fencing, they can prove remarkably difficult to remove.

Once rats and mice take up residence, the issues tend to escalate. Allan explained: “Nesting rats are a big problem. Their numbers grow quickly, and they’ll soon start gnawing through garden structures like your decking, your fencing and that kind of damage doesn’t come cheap.”

Firewood is another potential hazard. “Those storing leftover winter logs under their decking are also at risk,” he continued. “Timber that’s picked up moisture over winter is the perfect hiding place for wood-boring insects, and that’s when the real damage starts.”

How to store your garden supplies

Allan suggests a simple strategy to keep pests away:

• Elevate and ventilate. Store compost bags and firewood on a raised platform at least one to two metres away from the house and any timber structures. Good airflow prevents moisture from building up and makes the spot far less appealing to pests.
• Switch to sealed bins. If you have little space, decant compost into heavy-duty plastic bins with clip-on lids. These are much harder for rodents and insects to get into.
• Do a 60-second check. Get a torch and take a quick look under your decking for early warning signs – shredded plastic, small entry holes or dark droppings. Catching things early is nearly always the difference between a quick tidy-up and a costly pest control call-out.

A touch of organisation now can prevent considerable trouble down the line, and ensures you can properly enjoy your garden this summer. If you suspect rats are nearby, get in touch with a pest control specialist for guidance.

Forensics: The Real CSI has returned for its sixth series, following West Midlands Police investigating serious crimes

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A true crime documentary series hailed as the “best programme” on television is set to broadcast another gripping instalment this evening.

Forensics: The Real CSI has made its return to BBC Two for a sixth series, immersing audiences in the real-time pressures facing a regional police force.

Working against the clock, the documentary follows West Midlands Police Force as they tackle serious offences, spotlighting the forensic analysis that assembles crucial evidence throughout investigations.

Audiences observe specialist officers advancing cases, frequently operating with minimal or non-existent leads. Packed with disorder and disturbing revelations, the documentary has been declared essential viewing for true crime enthusiasts.

READ MORE: True crime doc explores unsolved cold case as chilling plea issuedREAD MORE: ‘Heartbreaking’ true crime documentary on ITV is a ‘must watch’

This evening’s episode (Sunday, March 29) airs at 9pm, entitled Intruder in the Bedroom. It examines a distressing 999 emergency call placed by a worried mother whose daughter came home from her father’s residence with a deeply troubling disclosure, reports the Mirror.

A BBC synopsis states: “A mother calls 999. Her 11-year-old daughter has returned from staying at her dad’s house, saying that a stranger came into her bedroom in the night and sexually assaulted her.

“A forensic team immediately heads to the crime scene, and the house is examined for potential forensic evidence the suspect may have left behind.”

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Since returning to BBC Two this month, numerous viewers have proclaimed it the “best programme” on television, describing it as unmissable for true crime devotees.

One viewer remarked on X: “Now is this worth watching.” Another posted: “If you want a deeply depressing insight into the state of everything in the Uk watch #forensicstherealCSI on BBC.”

A third observed: “Shocking case #Forensicstherealcsi”, while a fourth stated: “I watched ‘Forensics the real CSI’ last night on BBC2 Absolutely shocking and horrific episode. Makes me never want to go out at night time alone ever again So frightening.”

On Facebook, one viewer declared: “I love this programme even better that 24hrs on police custody.” Another commented: “This is the best TV programme.”

Earlier this month, West Midlands Police had highlighted the disturbing series, prompting one viewer to note: “Just watched, truly disturbing.”

Forensics: The Real CSI will air tonight (March 29) on BBC Two at 9pm. Episodes are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Aberdeen City Council recently scrapped its fleet of 25 hydrogen-powered vehicles and did no cost comparison with cheaper electric buses.

A council is facing questions over its decision to spend million of pounds on hydrogen buses – three times more costly than electric vehicles.

Aberdeen City Council recently scrapped its fleet of 25 hydrogen double-deckers after they spent more than a year parked and unused in a depot due to a lack of fuel.

Experts said the £8.3million in taxpayer cash splashed on the city scheme – paid for by the Scottish Government, the council and European funds – has been a “scandalous” waste of money since launching five years ago.

Studies have found electric buses are up to three times cheaper to run than hydrogen.

Last year, the council admitted it held no data comparing costs between the hydrogen fleet, operated by First Aberdeen, and battery-electric buses.

Professor Tom Baxter, professor in chemical engineering at Strathclyde University, said: “As taxpayers we should be looking for value for money.

“Government and councils have an obligation to make sure they’re doing that when they’re using the public purse.

“It doesn’t look like it’s happened at all here.”

In a freedom of information request to Aberdeen City Council last spring, Prof Baxter had asked for “the original work that justified hydrogen buses over electric” and “any cost comparisons from the initial hydrogen decision to date”.

In response, the council said it did not hold this information, arguing they did not deliver bus services directly despite conceding its “involvement with purchasing of hydrogen buses”.

Prof Baxter told the Sunday Mail: “The council should have been on top of it and making sure it was on track, delivering what was expected and still looking like a value proposition to continue funding it.

“The council said they didn’t have information about comparison costs from First Bus. That speaks volumes to me about due diligence.

“It’s an appalling situation and a scandalous use of taxpayer’s money.”

We told last week of the collapse of the Aberdeen deal – linked to Tory donor Jo Bamford, son of JCB billionaire Lord Bamford, who runs hydrogen bus manufacturer Wrightbus which built the Aberdeen double-deckers.

We also revealed how taxpayers are on the hook for more than £54million in Scottish Government backing for hydrogen schemes across the country.

Aberdeen’s hydrogen strategy was a partnership between the city council and oil giant BP.

Critics say intense lobbying by fossil fuel interests have led to public money going on hydrogen schemes.

Typically, the fuel source used to create hydrogen is natural gas, with technologies to use green sources instead still in the early stages of development.

In 2022 we told how Bamford’s Wrightbus was behind the world’s first double decker powered by the gas, with the firm winning multi-million pound publicly funded contracts to supply vehicles across the UK.

In the years since, cities with hydrogen bus fleets like Dundee, London, Belfast, Birmingham and Liverpool have faced operational difficulties or dropped the schemes.

Aberdeen City Council said it is in discussions with BP about “the future viability of the hydrogen hub, prompted by significant advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology”.

A spokeswoman added: “As manufacturers and operators increasingly favour EVs, demand for hydrogen in transport has diminished. In light of these developments, both parties are reassessing their strategic direction to align with the evolving market landscape.”

According to Robinson, therein lies the problem for Tuchel and England – Friday’s game played out more like a trial than a quest for “cohesion” and “team performance”.

“You got the impression watching the game that individuals were trying too hard in certain situations,” said Robinson. “They looked like a bunch of trialists trying to impress a manager to get through to the next stage of that trial.

“It really stunk of a performance of players who were playing for a place on the plane for self gain rather than team gain. It was a difficult watch at times.

“He created that atmosphere by naming that 35-man squad.

“You can’t dress it up any other way, Thomas Tuchel can say he’s looking at all these players, that we’re going to play this way, this is what we’re doing, it’s a team… that’s nonsense. It was an individual trial game.”

Tuchel, however, said he had “learned a lot” from the draw.

“You just see it in the details,” he added. “You learn a lot in the details, how is the behaviour and you see the level. I’m happy that we did it the way we did it.”

A revised 27-man squad is now preparing for Tuesday’s match against Japan at Wembley, with eight players due to leave the camp.

John Stones is returning to Manchester City having picked up an issue in training, while Arsenal trio Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also gone back to their club for medical assessment.

Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are the others to drop out.

Once that Japan game is out the way, England have two more friendly games against New Zealand on 6 June and Costa Rica on 10 June.

The World Cup gets under way 24 hours later.