- Tom Ilube is ready to step down as chairman – having occupied role since 2021
- Sweeney received a pay of £1.1m despite financial losses and staff redundancies
Sir Bill Beaumont is being lined up to take over as interim chairman of the RFU, amid heightened speculation that the incumbent, Tom Ilube, is set to quit over the bonuses row.
In the aftermath of a meeting at Twickenham on Wednesday night attended by the union’s council members, it emerged that Ilube is ready to step down as chairman – having occupied the role since 2021.
He has faced a furious backlash from the wider English rugby community since the RFU’s annual report revealed that chief executive Bill Sweeney received a pay package of £1.1million, including a £358,000 bonus signed off by Ilube, despite financial losses and staff redundancies.
Lengthy presentations at the Wednesday meeting were designed to ward off the threat of a revolt but failed to do so, as aggrieved union members press ahead with calls for a Special General Meeting with a view to ousting the beleaguered hierarchy.
Beaumont addressed the council – speaking about how highly the RFU is regarded within World Rugby, the global governing body he served as chairman for eight years, until last month.
Now, the former England captain is poised to step in, with a view to re-establishing some stability at Twickenham if Ilube resigns, as expected.
Sir Bill Beaumont (left) is being lined up to take over as interim chairman of the RFU with Tom Ilube (right) set to quit
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney was paid £1.1million for the last financial year
Beaumont last night told Mail Sport this scenario is ‘pure speculation, as Tom is still chairman’.
But regime change at the RFU appears inevitable. If Ilube goes, the rebels will set their sights on ousting Sweeney.
