English rugby is on brink of seismic change. It mustn’t fumble at the try line Sport Business Ed Warner was part of the group that has recommended major changes to the way English rugby is governed. He explains why this is a generational opportunity. This is news overload time for English rugby. The men’s national team wilting twice in the Six Nations under weighty expectations, debate about the possible impact of head [...]
Champ clubs demand divorce payment from RFU over Prem franchise plan Sport Business The Rugby Football Union is facing the threat of legal action from Champ clubs if the RFU Council approves a proposal from the Prem to become a franchise league with no promotion from the second tier. City AM has learned that the Champ Rugby board held an emergency meeting with clubs last week at which [...]
Ed Warner: Why our review calls for the RFU Council to be disbanded Sport Business A review has called for the RFU Council to be disbanded. City AM columnist Ed Warner, who was part of the review panel, explains its conclusions. A number of readers have asked why I’ve been silent on the turmoil within English rugby in recent months. Resignation of the chair of the RFU; a special EGM [...]
RFU Council should be scrapped, says review it commissioned April 30, 2025 A wide-ranging review of rugby union’s governance has suggested scrapping the RFU Council in what would be the domestic game’s biggest shake-up since the advent of professionalism. The year-long review, which was commissioned by the RFU Council itself, raises the prospect that the 63-strong committee be disbanded or replaced by a smaller group of expert [...]
RFU criticised for lack of consultation over bonus row engulfing Sweeney February 13, 2025 An independent review of the bonus controversy engulfing the Rugby Football Union and its chief executive Bill Sweeney has criticised a lack of consultation with the RFU Council. The review, conducted by law firm Freshfields, backed the RFU’s design and implementation of its long-term incentive plan (LTIP), which saw Sweeney receive a £358,000 bonus last [...]