Welsh Rugby Needs Honest Reporting – Even If Some Don’t Want to Hear It

Welsh rugby has a habit of bringing out some strong emotions

The Welsh rugby corner of social media is an emotional place at the best of times — but over the past six weeks, it’s safe to say things have gotten a little out of hand.

Trust in the media isn't exactly flourishing right now. So when this writer reported three weeks ago that the Welsh Rugby Union was seriously considering cutting one of the professional clubs, some fans on social media platform X went into meltdown.

But it’s important to understand what a journalist’s job actually is: to report what people don’t already know and to hold those in power to account. When articles are written about the possibility of cutting from four to three — or even two — professional clubs, it’s not to stir the pot. It’s to give readers an accurate depiction of what’s being discussed behind closed doors.

Yet for simply reporting that, one Facebook user labelled this writer "sadistic" and "dangerous." That kind of reaction highlights the deep emotion around Welsh rugby — but it doesn’t change the facts.