WRU assume control of Cardiff Rugby as major press conference held - live updates

The Welsh Rugby Union have assumed control of Cardiff Rugby on Wednesday night after the club were temporarily placed into administration by its directors.

The Arms Park had served a notice of intent (NOI) to appoint an administrator on Tuesday, with PwC being appointed on Wednesday.

Following that appointment, the club's business and assets were immediately sold to the WRU - with the Union's chief executive Abi Tierney insisting that this takeover would not derail the WRU's 'One Wales' strategy as she outlined the critical importance of Cardiff to the future of the Welsh game.

A press conference will now be held imminently at 7pm with officials from the WRU and Cardiff. You can follow live updates below.

The decision to go into administration was made once it became clear that the club's owners, Helford Capital, were unable to meet obligations to fund the club as it was contractually obliged to do.

After the takeover by the governing body was confirmed, it was announced that players and staff would be unaffected by the sale. The club's remaining fixtures, starting with Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium on April 19, will be fulfilled - with season and match tickets remaining valid.

Prepayments for season tickets for next season will also be honoured, as will any existing sponsorship arrangements that have been paid for in advance.

This is the second time the WRU have taken ownership over one of Wales' professional clubs after the Dragons hit financial difficulties back in 2017. The WRU owned the Dragons for six years before the Newport-based club went back into private ownership in September 2023.

You can follow live updates of this breaking story below: