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Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Current issues in rugby union

Closed Opened 13 Jan 2023 Closed 1 Jun 2023 2 recommendations 2 conclusions

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 13 January 2023.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union on 17 January 2023.

The government's response

Published 14 March 2023. The deadline was 17 March 2023.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government welcomes the Committee's recommendations and notes that responsibility for them "sits with the rugby authorities", while saying it expects governance reforms and is in close communication with the RFU and PRL.

  • On governance, the Government states it has "been clear that we expect to see governance reforms that include stronger financial regulations and Owners’ and Directors’ Tests", and says it "believe[s]" the rugby authorities are willing to do so.
  • On player welfare, the Government "encourages" the PRL and RFU to "explore options" for a benevolence fund and engagement with the Rugby Players Association.
  • On concussion, DCMS is working with stakeholders to develop a single set of shared protocols across the UK, which "will be published in the near future".
  • On finances, the Government "noted" the Committee's comments and says the Sports Survival Package gave clubs "generous financial support" during the pandemic.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Recommendations and conclusions

All 4 recommendations and conclusions

Reports

All reports

Recent activity

Recommendations and conclusions 4 shown

Conclusion 1

Conclusion · Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union · Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Concluded (the committee's words)
The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the very complacent belief of Bill Sweeney and Simon Massie-Taylor that further growth in club revenues will solve these problems.

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Conclusion 2

Conclusion · Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union · Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Concluded (the committee's words)
The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the reputation of the RFU and PRL. It is not indicative of a healthy professional setup. We welcome the planned reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future, but such alarming circumstances should not have been required in order for the RFU and PRL to realise the necessity of these reforms.

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Recommendation 3

Recommendation · Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union · Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Recommended (the committee's words)
It is vital that player welfare becomes the central concern of the authorities going forward, with the introduction of a form of benevolent fund a pressing need. We support the steps taken on concussion and hope that continues, but we recommend that the RFU adopt measures to give players a stronger say in all matters relating to their welfare.

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Recommendation 4

Recommendation · Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union · Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Recommended (the committee's words)
We await the publication of the RFU annual report. We recommend that when the annual report is published, the RFU writes to us with a detailed commentary of its financial position and what steps it will be taking to prevent further clubs collapsing, with consequent damage done to players, staff and local communities.

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Reports

1 report