The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is set to cut more than 40 jobs in a major restructuring effort that will impact almost all areas of the organisation, except for elite performance.
The move comes less than a week after the RFU and Premiership Rugby announced a £264m partnership deal to support the professional game over the next eight years.
Staff were informed during a 4pm call on Monday that between 40 and 45 positions would be eliminated as part of the restructuring process. It is understood that 64 employees have been placed “at risk”, with 22 new roles set to be created, leading to an estimated 42 redundancies.
Those affected are expected to receive confirmation of their status by Monday evening, with the process to be completed by the end of October.
An RFU spokesperson said :”The RFU has started a collective consultation over proposals to reshape and resize the organisation to maintain investment in rugby.
“The reorganisation comes as the RFU moves forward with significant transformational projects, including the Men’s Professional Game Partnership, the Community Game Future programme, Digital Transformation and investment in Women and Girls and the Stadium Masterplan.
“Alongside a need to restructure to support transformation, inflation and the overall economic outlook has led to utilities, travel, and the operating costs of running a business to increase significantly while a decline in broadcast revenues and consumer confidence is expected to impact future revenues.
“The RFU will protect headcount and investment in community rugby and the proposals will not have a direct impact on England men, Red Roses or pathway performance teams.
“It is anticipated that the number of roles in the RFU will be reduced by 42, with 64 roles at risk, and 22 new roles created.
“The proposed changes will mainly affect head office functions with changes to a centralised leadership for digital and technology, integrating customer service functions and streamlining business operations.
“The proposals are expected to be finalised at the end of October.”
Stuart Hogg included on brutal list of ‘worst ever’ British & Irish Lions
This list, put together by Pundit Arena in 2022, highlights individuals who may have been victims of misfortune rather than lacking in skill, while others arguably had no business being included in the British & Irish Lions squad.
Keep scrolling to discover who made it onto the list of the least impressive Lions players.
Pundit Arena's WORST LIONS PLAYERS:
5 - Stuart Hogg
PA: " 2013 and 2017 went badly for the Scot. The Lions stuck by Hogg for the second Test in 2021 but was shaky under the high-ball and had no chance to shine in attack ."
RUCK: Just doesn't seem to work out for Hoggy in the Lions with the harder he tries the tougher it gets
VERDICT: Justified
4 - Andy Titterrell
PA: "Choosing to select an enormous 44-man squad, Clive Woodward made several left field selections. None more so than a Sale Sharks hooker with only two caps for England. His technical and physical skills were not good enough for the Lions."
RUCK: He shouldn't have been near that squad
VERDICT: Justified
3 - Tom Court
"Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history, joining the squad while on holiday with his family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels."
2 - Billy Twelvetrees
PA: "Another bizarre call-up on the 2013 tour, the inside centre was brought in due to the glut of injuries sustained in the midfield. Now stranded in the international wilderness, one must assume he was fetched due to the convenience of him playing for England in Argentina."
RUCK: It may be easy to forget, but Twelvetrees was one of the most exciting talents in Europe when he was called up. He'd impressed for England in his four caps, and looked set for a bright international future. This pick feels more deemed on the use of hindsight.
VERDICT: Bit harsh
1 - Stuart Barnes
"First capped in 1984, he only represented England ten times, frequently criticised for his inability to convert his magnificent form for Bath onto the international stage.
"Ultimately after a torrid tour, losing six of 13 matches played, Barnes served as a perfect microcosm for its inadequate results in 1993, just not good enough."
RUCK: I wasn't born
Verdict: Up to you
