RFU chief suffers embolism but is ‘in good spirits’
Bill Sweeney, the Rugby Football Union chief executive, is being treated in hospital for a pulmonary embolism but is likely to be back at his desk at Twickenham in the “next few weeks”.
Sweeney, 64, fell ill on Friday but an RFU statement said that he was in “good spirits” and expected to make a full recovery. In his absence, the governing body’s executive team will assume Sweeney’s responsibilities, working closely with the chair, Tom Ilube. Sweeney has been in touch with his executive team over the weekend.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when there is a blocked blood vessel in the lung and can be life-threatening if not diagnosed quickly.
Sweeney will miss next week’s World Rugby Council meeting in Dublin where England will be confirmed as hosts for the 2025 Women’s World Cup. There will also be key discussions around revamping the global calendar, however the RFU will be represented by one of its key executive members.
Ilube will take on a more prominent role in the day-to-day running of the RFU, while the senior executive team of Sue Day, the chief operating and financial officer, Steve Grainger, director of rugby development, Angus Bujalski, director of legal and governance, and Conor O’shea, director of performance, will assume many of Sweeney’s duties.
Eddie Jones, the England head coach, will now report directly to O’shea, the former Italy head coach and Harlequins director of rugby.
The RFU said in a statement: “Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, was admitted to hospital on Friday and he is being treated for pulmonary embolism. Bill is expected to make a full recovery and return to work, he is in good spirits and is being well looked after.
“Bill will be recuperating for the next few weeks; initially in hospital but returning home soon.
“In the interim, the RFU executive team will ensure union matters continue to be managed effectively working closely with Tom Ilube, RFU chair, and the rest of board as needed. Bill would like to convey his strongest possible appreciation for the NHS who perform such incredible work.”
England’s men’s side do not play another fixture until the Barbarians match at Twickenham on June 19, before Jones’s team travel to Australia for a crucial three-test series against the Wallabies. The tour follows a disappointing Six Nations Championship, though Sweeney had once again given Jones his full backing despite another two-victory tournament.
Negotiations on a new Professional Game Agreement, which determines England player release and English Qualified Player targets, are due to begin this summer with Premiership Rugby.
Significant decisions will also need to be made over the future of the Championship and the English league pyramid. In the grass roots, playing numbers have not recovered since the pandemic.
‘The RFU executive team will ensure union matters continue to be managed effectively’