The Rugby Football Union will reassure eight former presidents of the union that "the financial future of the governing body is in good hands" when it meets with them at Twickenham on Thursday, according to Mick Cleary of the London TELEGRAPH. The union has been under "intense scrutiny" in recent weeks following a 40-page report by former CEO Francis Baron, which was commissioned on behalf of the past presidents, that "raised concerns over the commercial management of the union." RFU Chair Andy Cosslett and CEO Steve Brown, along with two independent non-exec directors, will "clarify the rationale" behind the redundancy program that will result in 60-62 jobs lost at Twickenham and cutbacks in budgets across the union that "could impact on the community game." The RFU insisted its fiscal policy "has always been transparent." However, the union "has been hit by various shortfalls" as well as a £27M ($35M) overspend on the East Stand redevelopment. The RFU believes the fiscal adjustment's purpose "is to head off any crisis further down the line." It will be pointed out that there is "still funding to the tune of" £47.5M ($61.3M) going into grassroots rugby in '18, "well over double the allocation of monies" that was invested 10 years ago (TELEGRAPH, 8/20).
