Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube could be ousted from the Rugby Football Union early next year with both senior figures facing a motion to be dismissed at a likely special general meeting following a grassroots rebellion.
Led by the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and backed by the Championship clubs, there is a campaign to sign up enough clubs to force a special general meeting. Plans are being finalised to table a motion calling for both Ilube, the chairman, and Sweeney, the chief executive, to be removed. There is a belief among the rebels that up to 300 clubs may eventually sign up – easily surpassing the required 100 and giving Sweeney 14 days to respond, and 45 days to convene the meeting, most likely in February.
