DINGS CRUSADERS RFC and the undersigned Clubs of National League 1 Rugby are collectively calling for a root and branch review, independent of the current RFU Council, Board and Executive, into the governance, setup and the management of Rugby in England. Given the current state of the game and substantial challenges facing the sport we love, the National 1 Clubs believe there needs to be a wide-reaching review of how Rugby is organised in England including understanding whether the governance of the National side and Professional game needs to be fully split from the Semi-Pro and Amateur game.

We believe that recent events have shown that change is required and that there have been major failures in governance and in leadership. The RFU Council and Board are complicit both in the lack of accountability and governance that the member clubs expect them to exercise, and, alongside the RFU leadership, in the lack of clarity and strategy for the development of rugby in England.

We note that there will be an emergency meeting of the RFU Council on 18 December. We call upon the members of the RFU council to use this as an opportunity to instigate an independent review of the management of Rugby in England.

The National 1 Clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise either at that meeting or at any subsequent SGM of the RFU.

Blackheath FC, Dings Crusaders RFC, Esher RFC, Leicester Lions RFC, Plymouth Albion RFC, Rams RFC, Richmond FC, Rosslyn Park FC, Rotherham Titans RUFC, Sale FC, Sedgley Park RUFC.