RFU try to rebuild their reputation
With the World Cup less than nine weeks away and England bidding to reach a third consecutive final, the Rugby Football Union still appear in turmoil.
The RFU have no permanent chairman, no permanent chief executive and they are continuing their search for their first performance director.
A four-hour council meeting took place yesterday to digest disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett's review of the RFU.
The report had looked at the circumstances surrounding the hiring and firing of former chief executive John Steele, who held the post for just nine months.
Decisions reached by the council included Martyn Thomas withdrawing his nomination for board chairman; council member Paul Murphy being appointed interim chairman and the RFU board being given a vote of confidence. Murphy said: "We were concerned that the reputation of the RFU had been damaged by the recent events.
"We wanted to ensure that we put in place an independent panel capable of undertaking a comprehensive and expert review of what took place so we could learn lessons for the future and take the first step forward towards rebuilding that reputation."
