Rfu Council Faces Abolition In Proposed Rejig

An independent reappraisal has called for nan of nan Rugby Football Union Council, whose 63 members see representatives from England's counties, nan subject and Oxbridge, to beryllium abolished.

The Council, whose members activity connected a voluntary basis, but person expenses, free tickets and hospitality, oversee nan RFU's board.

It has work for regulations governing nan game, giving it a perchance decisive opportunity connected issues specified arsenic how nan Premiership and top-flight clubs operate.

Under projected changes nan Council could beryllium disbanded wholly aliases replaced pinch a smaller group of appointed advisors.

"I've nary uncertainty this will rankle pinch a number of existing Council members," said Ed Warner, 1 of nan authors of nan review.

"But I americium hopeful that nan logic of this streamlined structure, empowering those wrong organization rugby, will triumph nan hearts and minds of nan majority."

Warner added nan RFU's existent building was "clearly unfit for nan modern era".

The Council besides included advocates for referees, players, nan Premiership, nan Championship and nan National League.

"It represents immoderate very important changes successful position of really we request to beryllium system to govern nan game," RFU main executive Bill Sweeney said connected Monday of nan as-then-unpublished review

The reappraisal highlighted a analyzable and slow decision-making process, mediocre connection and unwieldy bureaucracy taking up clip of grassroots volunteers.

Sweeney, who survived a rebel coup to region him from his station successful March, has backed much power of nan organization crippled being devolved to section levels.

After a consultation play that runs to nan extremity of June, last recommendations will beryllium made to nan Council successful autumn erstwhile it could rubberstamp its ain demise, pinch members' privileges and perks perchance being phased retired complete time.