- The England Rugby Union is set to lay off more than 40 staff.
- RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney chaired a meeting on Monday to discuss the plans.
- Those in non-rugby-related organizational roles are most at risk.
England’s rugby governing body, the RFU, is to axe 42 staff as it carries out a major restructuring.
The plans were communicated to all members of the organisation at a meeting on Monday chaired by RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.
This overlap does not affect the national composition of the men’s or women’s teams or the age classification system.
Those most likely to be at risk are those in non-rugby-related organisational roles or those working behind the scenes.
An RFU spokesperson said: “The RFU has commenced a collective consultation on proposals to restructure and resize the organisation to maintain investment in rugby.”
‘These changes come as the RFU embarks on a major transformational project, including the Men’s Professional Game Partnership.
The RFU is to make 42 staff redundant as it carries out significant restructuring.
‘The RFU will protect the people and investment in community rugby and the proposals will not directly impact England Men’s, Red Roses or Pathways Performance teams. The number of roles at the RFU is expected to be reduced by 42, with 64 roles at risk and 22 new roles being created.
‘The proposed changes will primarily impact head office functions, with a shift to centralised leadership for digital and technology, consolidation of customer service functions and streamlining of business operations. The proposals are expected to be finalised by the end of October.’
The RFU announced last week a new PGP, a partnership that will determine how English rugby will be run in the future, worth more than £250 million, with Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players Association. They also recently confirmed a stadium naming rights deal, which will see Twickenham become the Allianz Arena.
RFU leader Bill Sweeney made the announcement to members of the organisation at a meeting on Monday.
The deal is expected to be worth £100m over the next 10 years, according to MailSport.
The RFU is the world’s wealthiest union, but says it needs to streamline its operations as rugby around the world continues to struggle financially.
