2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Tom Coleman)
Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Thursday, November 28. WRU sign legal agreement with equality regulator The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has signed a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) that aims to increase protection for staff from discrimination and harassment. The legally binding agreement sets out what the WRU must do over the next year in order to improve workplace policies, practices and culture to protect its employees from discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment.
An independent review found that aspects of the workplace culture at the WRU were ‘toxic’, and that sexism, racism and homophobia were not adequately challenged. There was also evidence of bullying, and the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent employees from sharing their experiences. Under the terms of the agreement, the WRU has committed to introduce compulsory training on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for all employees, board members, management and senior leadership, as well as mandatory training on harassment and dealing with complaints of sexual harassment for managers.
There will also be the introduction of a standardised system to record and monitor discrimination and harassment complaints, while the use of NDAs will also be reviewed Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Everyone has the right to a workplace where they are free from discrimination and harassment. Employers are responsible for ensuring their policies and practices protect their employees and create a workplace culture where staff can thrive without fear. “As the governing body of Wales’ national sport, the Welsh public rightly expects the highest of standards from the WRU.
This legal agreement is an important step in the WRU rebuilding the trust of its staff and the wider nation, and we’re pleased that the WRU has already started to make progress on the actions required.” Get the latest breaking news sent directly to your phone with our free WhatsApp service here. Mooar re-joins Crusaders Former Scarlets coach Brad Mooar is returning to the Crusaders as assistant, thus ruling him out of potentially succeeding Warren Gatland as Wales head coach.
Mooar was one of the leading favourites to take the Wales reins should Gatland be moved on or step aside from the helm after a highly disappointing 12 months for the national team. Steve Tandy has been placed as the leading contender by bookmakers but Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend appeared to rule him out earlier this week . And now it seems Mooar is also off the table, returning to the club he was with from 2015 to 2019.
“My family and I are really happy to be back in Christchurch, and I’m really excited to be at Rugby Park again. It feels like coming home,” said Mooar, “It’s wonderful to be back in the mix with the players and staff, and I’m looking forwards to connecting with the community again.” “Brad has some awesome credentials.
He is a quality coach and a quality human being,” said Crusaders head coach Rob Penney. “He has a proven success record and is going to offer the coaching group and the organisation a wealth of experience and knowledge.” Coach says no WRU contact over job Gloucester-Hartpury boss Sean Lynn says he's not had any contact with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over the vacant Wales women's job.
However, he admits a role at international level is likely to be the ideal 'next step' in his coaching career. Ioan Cunningham stepped down from his role earlier this month, following a turbulent 12 months at the helm. Wales earned just four wins in 11 Tests, and the WRU also admitted to serious failings in the way it handled players' contract negotiations over the summer.
Lynn has overseen back-to-back Premiership Women's Rugby titles for Gloucester-Hartpury in the last two season, and has made them the dominant force in the women's game. But it appears a move into the international game isn't quite on the agenda just yet. "I think the next step is on the international arena," Lynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"The international game is somewhere that I have been looking but I'm fully focused on Gloucester-Hartpury for the time being. "A few girls have asked and said what's going on and I just said, 'look my full concentration is here'. "There would be a few questions I'd need to ask the WRU straight away but that's where it is at the moment.
" Ulster star follows Rees-Zammit to NFL Winger Aaron Sexton is set to leave Ulster to pursue a career in the NFL. The 24-year-old, who was also a promising sprinter at schoolboy level, came through the ranks of the Ulster academy, making his senior debut off the bench against Edinburgh in 2020. However, he has now opted to leave the sport in order to seek a place on the NFL's International Player Pathway [IPP], which sees him following in the footsteps of Welsh international Louis Rees-Zammit.
Zammit progressed through the pathway to land a spot on the practice squad of Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs, but was released before then joining Jacksonville Jaguars. He's yet to play in a competitive game..
