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A case of where there's smoke there's fire or just good old British journalism?
If true, could this be the straw that broke the camels back for English Rugby and the RFU?
Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians....ok, I'm out of sayings for now
You get the feeling that something will definately have to change in England with regard to player availabilty from the Clubs to the RFU however which way it changes is anyones guess.
I understand that the Clubs command huge wealth from Sponsors etc and would be nearly impossible to rail road into a compromise.
Love to read your thoughts on this FT and Emforcer?
c/o Scrum.com
RFU rubbish reports of revolution
14 Jan 2007
The Rugby Football Union have moved to dismiss newspaper reports that they are set unveil a blueprint for its own super league that threatens the existence of some of the top clubs in England.
The Sunday Times reported today that Francis Baron, the RFU’s chief executive, is set to outline the union’s plan to run its own competition, creating 10 "super clubs" evenly spread throughout the country on a geographical basis.
All of the new teams would be equally funded by the RFU and there would be no promotion or relegation.
The newspaper added that the competition is scheduled to kick off in 2009 and that, "at least two, but, in all probability, as many as eight of today’s Premiership clubs will be cast adrift."
Sources have suggested the bases for the teams will be Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Coventry, Worcester, Bedford, Saracens, Richmond, Bristol and Plymouth - jeopardising the future of clubs such as Bath, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester, London Irish, Northampton, Sale and Wasps.
Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premier Rugby, told the newspaper, "If (the RFU) really want to go down this route they will cause a massive split. There is not a Guinness Premiership club which would participate in anything so far removed from what anyone has ever contemplated, and how ridiculous that so many great clubs are not even involved.”
The newspaper also quoted Baron as saying, "The RFU is determined that we take the time to have an informed debate and to find the answer that is right for English rugby. We are looking forward to the support and input of the wider game as we seek to achieve this objective.”
However the RFU were quick to respond to the reports, issuing the following statement.
"Contrary to reports appearing in the Sunday Times the RFU has no proposals to make and will be making no proposals at this stage on the Way Forward project.
"Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board said: “I wrote to the Chairmen of all Guinness Premiership clubs last week setting out the proposed extensive game wide consultation process that the RFU is going to put in place.
"This process will start on the 9 February 2007 and last for four months. A consultation document is currently being produced. No proposals will be made until the consultation process has been completed".
RFU to unveil consultation plans
14 Jan 2007
The Rugby Football Union will tomorrow outline how they plan to consult the Guinness Premiership clubs as part of a wide-reaching review of the elite game.
The RFU implemented the review last May in order to "lead the debate" on structural changes it believes are required to keep England ``leaders of world rugby at both club and country level''.
A firm of strategic consultants was employed to advise on the project, which is titled `The Way Forward'.
Key stakeholders Premier Rugby, the clubs' umbrella body, and the Professional Rugby Players' Association have both been consulted.
The RFU is now ready to implement phase two of the process.
Martyn Thomas, chairman of the RFU Management Board, explained: ``I wrote to the chairmen of all Guinness Premiership clubs last week setting out the proposed extensive game-wide consultation process that the RFU is going to put in place.
``This process will start on February 9, 2007 and last for four months. A consultation document is currently being produced.''
A report in one Sunday newspaper stated dramatic proposals for restructuring the domestic game in England had already been formulated.
The report centred around the creation of a franchise system under the direct control of the RFU that would replace the current club structure.
The introduction of franchises is one of many ideas to have been mooted in recent months, including central RFU contracts for England players and the abolition of promotion and relegation from the Premiership.
But Thomas insisted: ``No proposals will be made until the consultation process has been completed.''