Richmond FC and the undersigned Clubs of National League 1 Rugby are collectively calling for a root and branch review, independent of the current RFU Council, Board and Executive, into the governance, setup and management of Rugby in England. Given the current state of the game and substantial challenges facing the sport we love, the National League 1 Clubs believe there needs to be a wide-reaching review of how Rugby is organised in England including understanding whether the governance of the National side and Professional game needs to be fully split from the Semi-Pro and Amateur game.

We believe recent events have shown change is required and there have been major failures in governance and leadership. The RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance the member clubs expect them to exercise, and, alongside the RFU leadership, in the lack of clarity and strategy for the development of Rugby in England.

We note there will be an emergency meeting of the RFU Council on 18th December. We call upon the members of the RFU Council to use this as an opportunity to instigate an independent review of the management of Rugby in England.

The National League 1 Clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise either at that meeting or at any subsequent SGM of the RFU.

Signed,

Blackheath FC
Darlington Mowden Park RFC
Dings Crusaders RFC
Esher RFC
Leicester Lions RFC
Plymouth Albion RFC
Rams RFC
Richmond FC
Rosslyn Park FC
Rotherham Titans RUFC
Sale FC
Sedgley Park RUFC