Antoniazzi — a former professional rugby player and Scarlets board member — had faced speculation that her silence was linked to her long‑standing ties to the Llanelli‑based region, at a time when fans fear one of Wales’ professional teams could be cut.
She has now issued a detailed statement, saying she deliberately chose to work privately rather than speak out earlier, and warning that the WRU’s handling of the crisis has “alienated supporters”. She also addressed the financial pressures facing the game and the uncertainty hanging over Ospreys players, staff and fans.
Antoniazzi said it was appropriate for Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart and Swansea West MP Torsten Bell to lead the public‑facing campaign, given their constituencies cover St Helen’s and the Swansea.com Stadium.
Her full statement reads:
I have personally made a deliberate decision not to speak out publicly on Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) radical cost-cutting proposals because my priority has been to make a meaningful contribution behind the scenes, where I believe I can make the biggest difference.
For this reason, on January 21, I supported the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on its hearing on the issue. The Committee engaged directly with fans’ representatives, as well as the Chief Executive and Chair of the WRU and I took that opportunity to be at the hearing and speak to them all.
It’s an understatement to say the proposals to cut a professional team have alienated supporters. The hearing made clear that there’s a growing divide between the WRU and the fans, and this really saddens me.
Only through working through this together can a sustainable long-term solution be found – the alternative is that we let it tear the Welsh rugby community apart.
It’s clear the WRU is facing serious financial pressures, with multi-million-pound debts and not enough money in the system. Ultimately, the WRU and Y11 will be forced to make a commercial decision about the future.
What Ospreys’ fans, players, staff are facing is intolerable. I urge the WRU to dramatically improve its communication. We still do not know what the final decision will be, and this prolonged uncertainty is unacceptable.
It is only right that the Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, and Torsten Bell the MP for Swansea West, whose constituency includes both St Helens and the Swansea.com Stadium, lead the public-facing campaign.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Member of Parliament for Gower
Her intervention comes as the WRU continues to face intense scrutiny over its finances, its communication with supporters, and the future of Wales’ professional rugby structure.
