GLANMOR Griffiths is going Down Under. The man who has been at the helm of Welsh rugby for most of the past two decades is resigning from the WRU for family reasons.

Griffiths (pictured) told the Argus in an exclusive interview this morning that he intends joining his son, daughter-in-law and grandson Down Under (believed to be Australia) soon.

The Argus can also reveal he made up his mind to quit Welsh rugby last weekend.

Griffiths informed close associates on the WRU this week that he has finally made up his mind to to go after 18 years, most of them at the top.

He officially informed a stunned general committee last night. His decision becomes effective from the annual meeting of the WRU on July 26.

"I was flattered to be nominated for the post of national representative with special responsibility for finance, but I feel the time has come for me to step down from all my roles at the WRU and Millennium Stadium," he told me.

"This is chiefly due to a change in circumstances. My son, daughter-in-law and grandson have decided to settle in the Southern Hemisphere, and in the next few months my wife and I intend to join them for at least a few years.

"I stand down with genuine optimism for the future of Welsh rugby. We have come to grips with professionalism on and off the field.

"The board of directors under chief executive David Moffett will ensure a more efficient, effective and streamlined professional administration.

"The new five regions were essential for our top flight club rugby to be both viable and competitive in the ever increasing demands of the professional game.

"I've been fortunate to fill many influential positions on the WRU and have been involved in many major developments.

"But the greatest pride I feel is when I see the unstinting work that is put in at the grass roots level by the clubs, their junior sections and the schools.

"Of course we acknowledge that the Millennium Stadium has a debt of around £60m, but on the other side of the balance sheet we have a world class facility that, if we were to build today, would cost in the region of £400m.

"The stadium is a source of pride for all of Wales and provides a great boost to the national economy.

"I became public enemy number one for almost three years while the Millennium Stadium was being transformed from a dream into such a magnificent reality.

If I had a penny for every time they said it would never be finished on time I'd have had enough money to pay off our overdraft.

"Welsh rugby is moving into a new and more professional era, and I'm confident Welsh rugby will offer David and his team similar support to that which has always been afforded to me by the clubs."

Moffett, currently driving through France on holiday, paid tribute to Griffiths.

"I've enjoyed working with Glanmor, we formed a good working partnership," he said. "He will be missed and we will reflect on what he achieved for Welsh rugby, which was enormous."