This is how rugby can be saved from peril

FRANCIS Baron, acknowledged widely as English rugby’s most successful administrator of the professional era, says the RFU requires an urgent reset to put its house in order.

- NICK CAIN

Baron believes there is a huge amount of work to be done if the RFU is to arrest a serious slide into debt, which in 2019/20 was over £250m.

Baron has spoken out because he feels he has a responsibility to the game as a former chief executive of 12 years standing (1998-2010), “to advise and warn when unexplained and worrying financial trends develop and appear to be unaddressed”.

He says the RFU member clubs, “have a right to know the extent of the financial problems the Union is facing, how the RFU has got itself into this position, and how to get out of it”.

Baron, who is concerned by the erosion of democracy in the RFU administration – as well as a sharp decline in the PLC standards he introduced – says: “We are a democratic sport, and these issues need open debate and discussion.”

In the first of a series of exclusive interviews with The Rugby Paper, Baron highlights his concerns with potentially damaging and divisive issues facing the English game, with the promotion-relegation ringfence, the slashing of Community rugby funding, and the arrival of private equity investors CVC as shareholders, at the top of the list.

Baron warns that, “automatic promotion and relegation is essential at all levels in the game”, and reasserts his belief that the role of the RFU is not to provide for “investor protection” in the sport.

He adds, “at professional level rugby is a sport first, and a business second. If we do not get the rugby decisions right there is no basis for sound business”.