Nigel Walker insists he has not seen any examples of sexist behaviour at the Welsh Rugby Union amid recent allegations.
The former Wales wing was appointed as the WRU's director of performance last year - having previously been vocal in his criticisms of how the union was running the game in this country. Since taking over, he's worked hard to improve the fortunes of the women's game - with professional contracts being handed out for the first time - while the struggling men's game will also be something he'll need to resurrect.
But the recent allegations of sexism and misogyny by a former WRU employee, now the subject of a tribunal, mean wider questions are being asked of the WRU than just on-field performance or off-field administration. However, Walker is insistent that he's not seen any cases of sexist behaviour since starting in his role and says he would be quick to call such occurrences out.
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"The WRU has been on a journey for quite some time and will continue to address any issues that are there", Walker told Adrian Masters on ITV Wales' Face to Face programme. "But in my 20 years as a senior leader in organisations, anybody who's worked with me will tell you that I work incredibly hard to treat people as I'd want to be treated myself.
"In the six months that I've been in the Welsh Rugby Union I have seen no cases of that, and if there were I would call it out. Because I would be embarrassed to work for an organisation that didn't live up to those sorts of values."
The former employee says a member of staff openly joked about wanting to rape her and further alleges another man made sexist remarks about Wales Women in 2020, allegedly calling on her to stop her "crusade" over the women’s game.
A WRU statement in response to the allegations at the time said: "The grievance was taken extremely seriously by the WRU and was the subject of a comprehensive investigation by an external law firm. Following that investigation, the grievance was not upheld. No further comment will be made at this time given the ongoing Employment Tribunal claim."
As well as the recent allegations, Walker was also quizzed on the fortunes of the men's game in this country. Before taking up his post, he had previously slammed the "teacher-pupil relationship" between the WRU and the four professional sides, who he warned were on the "verge of collapse".
The underperforming national team - fresh from defeat to Italy - has often papered over the cracks, but it appears that will no longer be the case. However, Walker now believes that a brighter future is achievable as he aims to plot a path forward
"If I didn't think that we could work together - the unions and the regions - to make sure that the Welsh national team continues to be successful [I wouldn’t have taken the job]. There's been unprecedented success over the last 15 years or so.
"But we have to find a way the regions can also be successful, and that's going to take some changes. There are a number of levers which can be pulled. We've got to make sure we pull the right levers so that we get the right outcomes”
