Opinion – Reshaping the RFU for a Better Future

On Thursday evening the game of rugby union in this country meets for a Special General Meeting to determine the future direction of the game. There are 2 motions, to drive a review of the structure and governance at the RFU, particularly where it relates to the Adult Mens game, and the other to remove the CEO.

Let me take these motions both in turn:

GOVERNANCE

I have both listened to and contributed to many discussions on the game in recent months and have noted with interest the many factions keen to have their say, many of whom have trotted out how their background in the forces or other sports gives them special insight into how to run our game – this I am afraid is part of the problem and not the solution – the RFU has far too many individuals in senior roles whose backgrounds are from other sports or facets of society, and far too few with recent practical experience of running rugby clubs. Some have criticised communication at the RFU then provided 2 dates for the SGM in the same press release or attempted to change the motions so many times clubs simply were not sure for what they were meant to be voting! It is also very clear that The Championship has very specific issues that cannot be corralled with the issues affecting the wider game – these need to be addressed asap by the (new) Board.

Very few of the missives I have read have provided any practical solutions to the issues that hamstring rugby union and these all lead back to one huge shortcoming – the Board that runs the RFU has little or no recent experience in the administration or coaching of the 15 a side adult mens game beneath the National leagues that represents the largest constituent group of the RFU’s membership. Allied to that, the RFU Council has huge groups of individuals who also have little or no recent experience of that same constituent group – the sheer number of representatives on the Council results in the least dynamic approach to decision making with many voting on matters of which they have little or no practical knowledge.

In the spirit of providing solutions here is what I suggest:

• The constitution of the Board needs to be completely revamped such that at least 2 Members are current or recent administrators in the adult mens 15 a side game, one from the National Leagues and one from the Community Game.
• The role and indeed existence of the Council needs to be completely reviewed and the Council itself must not be able to veto any decision to remove it as an organisation.
• The structure of Competitions from Level 5 down in the adult mens 15 a side game must be devolved to the 4 Regional Organising Committees, who as far as possible must return the game to a simpler 16/8/4/2 league format for the start of the 2026-27 season. I have recently submitted a proposed structure for Level 7 to London Competitions as an example.
• The RFU Competitions org must not be allowed to impose strategic changes onto these regions eg there has been mooted the introduction of a barrage system to copy the French system and replace the Cup. This should not happen without due consultation with the wider game.
• The collection of Tackle Height concussion data should be made mandatory at all clubs using the GMS Match Card so that we can properly assess whether we have actually improved the issue for both baller carrier AND tackler. This data should also drive a wider review to determine if we have solved for the problem or simply moved it from the ball carrier to the tackler. I have recently met with Dr Simon Kemp at the RFU to discuss this issue and he must be given the support he needs to drive this. In conjunction with my brother Perran Moon MP, I also recently contributed to a Westminster Hall debate in part on this issue and know it has cross party support.

CEO

There has been much focus on Bill Sweeney over this period. Bill Sweeney did not appoint the Board who give him the KPI’s by which he is measured and cannot be held accountable for their lack of knowledge of the largest part of the game he oversees, nor does he have the right to remove the Council, which is meant to provide him with the data he needs to make informed decisions. We cannot on the one hand denigrate the man for being paid on KPI’s provided to him, but also denigrate him for inheriting the structure and governance that undermines his ability to drive change. If we are to revamp the Board, my suggestion would be we need some continuity at the top and I have not seen anyone mention a single name to unite the game (heaven forbid anyone suggest we bring someone in from outside the game again) to replace Bill. Imho Bill should remain in post and be given strict KPI’s that relate to his area of expertise by the new Board, and that new Board should also appoint a CEO of the Community Game so that Bill’s focus can be on the professional elements of the game.
Whatever the outcome on Thursday night, I will continue to fight for what I believe is the right direction for the game of rugby union and it is in this spirit that I commit my thoughts to paper. You may not agree but I challenge you to provide practical solutions when you respond!

Dickon.

Dickon Moon is the Director of Rugby at London Cornish RFC.

Photo by Billy Brodzinski on Unsplash