Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union

HC 1018 Published 17 January 2023

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Current issues in rugby union Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance2 recommendations and 2 conclusions · Government response published 14 March 2023 (deadline 17 March 2023)

The government's response

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

What the committee recommended 4

1
The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the... Conclusion · paragraph 7
2
The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the... Conclusion · paragraph 8
3
It is vital that player welfare becomes the central concern of the authorities going forward,... Recommendation · paragraph 12
4
We await the publication of the RFU annual report. Recommendation · paragraph 14

Sources

Sixth Report - Current issues in rugby union ↗The committee's report, HC 1018, parliament.uk
Letter from Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society, relating to the Government's response to the Committee’s Current issues in rugby union Report, dated 10 March 2023 ↗The government's response, 14 March 2023, parliament.uk

Recommendations and conclusions 4

1
The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the... Conclusion · paragraph 7 · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (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.
2
The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the... Conclusion · paragraph 8 · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (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.
3
It is vital that player welfare becomes the central concern of the authorities going forward,... Recommendation · paragraph 12 · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recommendation (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.
4
We await the publication of the RFU annual report. Recommendation · paragraph 14 · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recommendation (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.