Project Inept.

Ospreys chairman Mike James has today resigned as chairman and as a director of the Welsh regional side, citing the WRU’s “catastrophic mismanagement” of efforts to overhaul the game.

James made the announcement at the start of the today’s PRB meeting in Cardiff addressing the management group who are reportedly set to propose a merger of Ospreys and Scarlets ahead of next season.

“None of us doubt that regional rugby requires restructuring in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the game. The way in which this has been handled however is nothing short of chaotic, resulting in a fatal combination of uncertainty, conjecture and insecurity now hanging over regional rugby’s future.

“To methodically, rationally and impartially map out the future of regional rugby is one thing, to fatally wound it with an ill-judged, cavalier process is another.  We now have the worst of all worlds – a lack of clarity, a lack of transparency and a total inability to plan ahead.  We can no longer make sound rugby or business decisions and nor can our players or commercial partners.  Project Reset has become Project Inept.

“I cannot and will not be a party to this level of catastrophic mismanagement and today I’ve make the decision to stand down as both chairman and a director of the Ospreys, surrendering my position on the PRB.”

Mike James is to be succeeded as chairman by fellow Ospreys benefactor Rob Davies. The club has revealed Davies will start his new role by overseeing a legal and financial forensic review of the WRU’s actions in administrating Project Reset.

“Amongst the concerns to be investigated is the independence of the WRU’s role given its conflict of interests, the lack of appropriate transparency and adequate governance in the Project Reset process, as well as inducements by officers of the WRU for the regional side to commit further private funds to the game whilst acting against its interests.” an Ospreys statement read.