The Welsh Rugby Union's 239 member clubs yesterday voted for an overhaul of the way the game in the principality is run but they fought shy of radical and meaningful change.

A proposal by a WRU-commissioned working party to create an eight-man executive to run the game on a daily basis, instead of the 27-strong general committee which currently serves as the administration, received a majority of votes at the emergency general meeting of the clubs in Cardiff, but not the 75 per cent needed to change the union's constitution.

But 76 per cent of the club delegates did agree to a general committee motion to have an 18-strong board of directors, 16 of whom would be elected by the clubs, underpinned by a six-strong appointed executive. The change will be made next summer.

Some delegates feared the move would mean effectively more of the same but given the clear mood for change which surfaced during the meeting, amid concerns that the Millennium Stadium is failing financially, it was not a mandate for the majority of those who make up the general committee to carry on as they are.

The change will mean a devolvement of power. Glanmor Griffiths, who is currently the treasurer of the WRU, the chairman of the general committee and the chairman of Millennium Stadium plc, the union subsidiary which runs the stadium, admitted that reform was needed.

A chief executive to run the stadium will be appointed, along with a WRU chief executive, but overseeing everything will be a group chief executive.

New Zealand lifted the women's World Cup after a 19-9 final victory against England 19-9 in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium.

Monique Hirovanaa and Cheryl Waaka scored tries for the Black Ferns with Tammi Wilson landing two penalties and Hannah Myers one. England responded through Shelley Rae who kicked two penalties and a drop goal.

New Zealand were victorious in the London leg of the IRB World Sevens Series at Twickenham on Saturday. They beat South Africa 54-14 in the final.

The Gloucester centre Joe Ewens has been released from his contract at Kingsholm and has signed a two-year deal with the first division champions Rotherham.

The Zurich Premiership champions Leicester will open their bid for a fifth successive title against Leeds at Headingley.

First weekend fixtures (Aug 31-Sep 1): London Irish v Bath, Leeds Tykes v Leicester Tigers, Harlequins v Gloucester, Sale v Northampton, Newcastle v Wasps, Bristol v Saracens.