Rugby: Moffett returning home

Veteran New Zealand rugby administrator David Moffett is returning to this country leaving his role as chief executive of regional rugby in Wales.

He will be replaced by the former head of the Scarlets club, Stuart Gallacher.

The pair blamed the Welsh Rugby Union for what they say is a failure to reach a new WRU-regions participation deal, the BBC reported.

"Welsh rugby still does not have the certainty of a solution it so desperately needs," Moffett said.

Their statement read: "Gallacher ... will take over the reins to continue the regions' negotiations with the WRU regarding a revised participation agreement that has so far failed to materialise."

Moffett has business commitments in New Zealand that existed before his surprise return to Welsh rugby as head of the regional body six months ago.

Moffett was Welsh Rugby Union boss before leaving that role to be succeeded by current chief Roger Lewis. He returned to Wales and waded straight into a confrontation with the WRU over the release of players for Wales international training sessions.

That row ended with the union winning a High Court ruling forcing the regions to release players for training ahead of the opening autumn test against South Africa.

Controversy continued with Moffett questioning the position of his successor Lewis. Moffett was seen by the four regions as the man to see through protracted negotiations with the union over how the professional game is run and funded.

But no fresh agreement has been reached and Moffett said: "It is inconceivable that a revision to the participation agreement has still to be agreed by the union."

A WRU spokesman said: "The WRU will continue to work in the best interests of all of Welsh rugby with our primary focus on the development of Welsh players playing in Wales.

"As regards to all other matters we will continue to maintain a dignified silence in public."

- NZPA