RFU chairman Tom Ilube resigns from his position following emergency meeting amid bonus pay row that has rocked English rugby’s governing body

The RFU chairman, Tom Ilube, has stepped down from his position in the wake of the bonus scandal that has hit English rugby’s governing body.

Following an emergency RFU Council meeting on Wednesday, it was announced an independent review of its executive pay plan would take place.

It followed outcry over RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney being paid £1.1m for the 2023-24 financial year, a salary which comprised an increased basic pay of £742,000 and a bonus of £358,000. A further bonus of £1m was handed out between five other RFU employees.

The revelations have caused fury among the English rugby public because they came at a time when the RFU announced a loss for the last financial year of £37m.

Around 40 employees were also made redundant. A vote of no confidence in both Sweeney and Ilube had been likely in 2025.

But the latter has already departed, with the news being confirmed on Friday morning.

The RFU chairman, Tom Ilube, has stepped down from his position in the wake of the bonus scandal that has hit English rugby’s governing body

A vote of no confidence in both RFU CEO Bill Sweeney (left) and Ilube (right) had been likely in 2025

Ilube, who took on the role in 2021, said in a statement: ‘I have decided to step down from my role as Chair of the RFU as recent events have become a distraction from the game, but will stay on to ensure a smooth transition to a new Chair as soon as one is in place.

‘I’m pleased that an independent review of the LTIP (bonus) scheme has been commissioned and look forward to its findings once completed.

‘It has been an honour to Chair the RFU, and I look forward to once again enjoying the game that I grew up with from the touchline and watching it grow.’

Sir Bill Beaumont, who has recently left his position as chairman of World Rugby, is being lined up to take over from Ilube on an interim basis.