English Rugby
RFU delay acting on review
ESPNscrum Staff
December 2, 2011
Miles Templeman will act on the Slaughter and May reports leading a 'steering group' © Getty Images
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The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that they will consult the whole game in England as a result of the Slaughter and May report as they seek to rebuild their tattered reputation.

The RFU Council met on Friday to discuss the findings of a report carried out by Slaughter and May into the whole structure of the organisation and their relationship with the various stakeholders - the clubs and all levels from elite down to grassroot levels. Independent non-executive director Miles Templeman will lead a 'steering group' consisting of both board and council members looking to take action on the recommendations made by Slaughter and May.

Reports suggested on Friday that the review calls for radical changes including reducing the size of the Council from 63 members to 25 and that anyone who has served for 10 years or more should step down. But the RFU will now delay any knee-jerk reactions and instead look to consult the reviews before acting on the recommendations.

RFU President Willie Wildash said: "We have a great opportunity to define how we run the game we all love and feel so passionate about. We feel a huge responsibility to players, coaches, referees, supporters, sponsors - everybody involved in rugby union at all levels - not only to reflect humbly on how we run our game but to take real progressive action.

"We should thank Nigel Boardman [Slaughter and May] and his colleagues for such a detailed report and 150 recommendations, many of which, if adopted, would fundamentally improve how we operate.

"Every one of those recommendations will be closely studied and discussed. Some of this will take time and it is vitally important that it is done thoroughly and correctly to benefit the whole game. The principles of good governance must be re-inforced but we are committed to the ultimate objective of ensuring that we have the right governance structures in place to support those principles.

"Miles Templeman is highly respected and experienced in governance and the Council unanimously decided that he should lead a group that will be representative of all areas of the game."

Wildash added: "The Slaughter and May review was essential and precipitated by a number of factors, especially the Blackett Report, which was a most thorough review into the circumstances surrounding the sudden departure of John Steele in June. The report identified failures within the RFU and that has been a catalyst for change, not least leading to the Slaughter and May review. It was undertaken diligently and expeditiously by an experienced and capable team. Thanks to their efforts and those of many others who have contributed to the Slaughter and May review we are very optimistic that we have turned a corner and are now heading in the right direction."

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