Rugby needs in-depth structural review say MPS

A REVIEW into the governance of rugby union in England is needed, similar to that carried out for football, MPS have urged.

The call for an investigation into the game comes after Wasps followed the Worcester Warriors into administration.

All 167 players and staff at the team were made redundant last week, after it was unable to meet financial commitments.

Both clubs are suspended from competition and are set to be automatically relegated from English rugby’s top tier, which will only make it harder to find new buyers.

In the House of Commons, Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans (Bosworth) said: “One thing that unites us though is our passion for rugby and to see the likes of Wasps and Worcester Warriors fall and collapse is incredibly scary, especially to my constituents who are employed and work for the likes of Wasps. So will the leader write to the Government to ask for a review, like we had with the football review? And failing that, could we have time to debate such a review?”

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt described the financial crisis in rugby union as of “immense importance” adding she would be “very happy to write to the relevant department” about the issue.

Conservative former minister Robin Walker had earlier called for a debate on the future of rugby union. The Worcester MP said: “Some weeks ago I asked her about the urgent matter of the Worcester Warriors and since then both they and Wasps have gone into administration.”

The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Bill Sweeney has said the governing body considers a move to a reduced ten-team Premiership from the 2024-25 season onwards would be a “viable” move to try and avoid the current overlap between domestic and international matches.