Efforts to clear up the financial and administrative mess into which English rugby has fallen have formally begun with Premiership Rugby confirming the launch of a new sporting commission, including the former England and Northampton captain Tom Wood, to help improve the long-term prosperity of the league.
Wood is among four independent figures from the world of sport and business on a seven-person panel chaired by Nigel Melville. The football executive Jane Purdon, the Ministry of Justice board member Mark Rawlinson and the financial services expert Carys Williams have all been appointed, with the Premiership Rugby chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, and its rugby director, Phil Winstanley, completing the list.
The group will have the power to rule over crucial matters such as the future season structure, Premiership Rugby regulations and player workload, as well as impose sanctions in accordance with Premiership Rugby regulations. Crucially the aim is to make decisions independent of the clubs in a bid to deliver the best collective outcomes for the league. “Our goal has always been to strengthen our governance and make internal decision-making more agile, whilst also bringing about greater independence to any contentious issues,” said Melville.
The past season has been a deeply concerning one for the English game, with three Premiership clubs collapsing financially in the past nine months. With the Rugby Football Union also preparing to hold its AGM on Friday evening, there is wider disquiet in the shires on a number of other issues, ranging from the union’s financial outlook to the botched messaging around the imminent tackle-height trial in the community game.
An official vote of no confidence has not been tabled but strong views are expected to be aired at the hybrid AGM, due to be held at the Royal College of Nursing. The shape and funding of the second-tier Championship is also the subject of increasing frustration, with no extra money yet forthcoming from the central pot and clubs increasingly concerned about the future. “Answers need to be forthcoming very soon about how to involve the second-tier professional game,” said a club source.
“If you don’t those clubs are going to go the same way as three Premiership sides have gone in the past nine months. We’re being asked to step up and be part of professional rugby on a shoestring. That just doesn’t work. There will come a cracking point.”
The ripple effect following London Irish’s collapse into administration is still continuing, with the highly rated flanker Tom Pearson confirming a move to Northampton. Another Exiles forward, Chunya Munga, has already joined the Saints with the young centre Will Joseph set to join Harlequins.
Italy, meanwhile, have opted not to renew the contract of their head coach, Kieran Crowley, beyond this year’s World Cup. The former New Zealand full-back has been building an increasingly impressive Azzurri side who beat Australia for the first time last year. They also defeated Wales in Cardiff in 2022, bringing to an end their 36-match losing sequence in the Six Nations.
