Tell me about WRU sexism, minister tells players

Jack Sargeant said he wants a "full understanding of what action needs to take place"

A minister says female rugby players at the centre of sexism allegations over Welsh Rugby Union contract negotiations can speak to him directly about their concerns.

Jack Sargeant, Welsh government minister for sport, said that to protect their confidentiality the women did not have to go through the WRU to make contact.

He told the Welsh Parliament that all Senedd members were “shocked and saddened” by allegations concerning the pressure players were put under to sign new contracts.

WRU officials say they will apologise in person to the senior women’s team players but reject the allegation of sexism.

The Labour minister, who met WRU officials earlier this week, told Senedd members he wanted to hear “directly” from the players so he fully understands their concerns.

“I am seeking to do that in a space in which they feel comfortable and protected and those meetings will take place in confidence," he said.

“The players can either do that through the WRU themselves, or directly to me, either themselves, collectively or through their representative bodies, so it’s a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing what they want to share with me so I have the full understanding of what action needs to take place."

Senior WRU officials have admitted serious failings in the contracts process and that it was "absolutely clear" the governing body should say sorry to players.

In an email, seen by the BBC, players were threatened with withdrawal from the WXV2 international competition and, subsequently, next year’s World Cup as talks broke down.

They were issued with a "final offer" ultimatum on 2 August, saying if they did not sign within a three-hour deadline, planned matches against New Zealand, Scotland and Australia would not go ahead and the contracts would be withdrawn.

The issue was raised in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday by Labour Senedd member Hannah Blythyn, who said this was sexism because such a threat would never be made to the senior men’s team.

"An apology is not and cannot be the end of it," she said.

“This time there has to be tangible and meaningful cultural change."

The new claims of sexism and inequality come less than a year after a damning independent review into the WRU's culture following a BBC Wales investigation.

A review of the contract negotiation process is expected to publish its recommendations later this month.

The minister said he wanted to see that report before it was published.