Exclusive - The Talk of Rugby: Ian Ritchie to carry out review of Six Nations council

Ian Ritchie - The Talk of Rugby: Ian Ritchie to carry out review of Six Nations council
Former RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie has been asked to carry out the comprehensive governance review of the Six Nations council Credit: REUTERS

Ian Ritchie, former RFU chief executive who stepped down after five years in the post in August, has made a swift return to top-flight rugby administration, The Talk of Rugby can reveal.

It is understood the 63-year-old has been asked to carry out the comprehensive governance review of the Six Nations council, that was revealed by this column last month.

The review, which is expected to be completed before the start of the Six Nations Championship in February, could lead to the introduction of independent non-executive directors (INEDs), including female representation.

The Six Nations council is currently made up of two representatives of each of the participating Unions (all male) and its chief executive, John Feehan. 

It is thought that Ritchie has already begun his review and the former executive of the All England Club will be able to draw on wide-ranging experience and insider knowledge.

During his Twickenham tenureship, Ritchie was not one of the RFU’s representatives on the Six Nations council but represented the union on the World Rugby Council, was a member of the board of the British and Irish Lions and also chaired the board of Team GB rugby sevens.

Ian Ritchie alongside Eddie Jones
Ian Ritchie alongside Eddie Jones Credit: REUTERS

The RFU underwent a major governance overhaul under Ritchie and former chairman Bill Beaumont, including the introduction of INEDs on the board at Twickenham.

Neither Ritchie nor the Six Nations were available for comment on Wednesday night but it is understood the Six Nations council has asked him to lead the governance review to ensure it is compliant with the best practices.

UK Sport introduced a new code for sports governance in April for bodies seeking funding that include “increased skills and diversity in decision making, with a target of at least 30 per cent gender diversity on boards” and greater transparency and constitutional arrangements that give boards the prime role in decision making.

Hunter to join the Rose Club

England captain Sarah Hunter lines up for the national anthem
England captain Sarah Hunter lines up for the national anthem Credit: GETTY IMAGES

The remarkable achievement of Sarah Hunter, the England Women’s captain who celebrated reaching 100 caps for her country in the victory over Canada on Tuesday night, will be honoured in the new club for former England Women internationals which will be officially launched at Twickenham on Saturday.

This column revealed in September that the governing body was planning to establish a female equivalent to the ERIC club for former male international players, which was established in 1947 and has over 430 members and a club room in the West Stand which features action photographs, cabinets with memorabilia and a 'Wall of Signatures', signed by all England players.

The female version, called the ‘Rose Club’, will be launched on Saturday before England Women’s third Test against Canada which follows the men’s Test match against Samoa. Hunter’s photograph and one of her shirts is expected to feature in the new room at Twickenham.

Richard Hill, the former England and Lions flanker who is currently team manager for the men’s squad, was also involved in a special capping ceremony for Hunter on Tuesday night.

The RFU hopes to stage a series of events at the Rose Club during the Six Nations Championship in February and March.

Leo urging Samoa to go independent

Dan Leo, the former Samoa international, has said it is critical that his country’s players be represented by an organisation that is not dependent on funding from any governing bodies.

Leo helped establish the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (PRPW) 18 months ago, which is a separate organisation from the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) that agreed a new support deal with the Rugby Players’ Association on Tuesday.

Leo, however, questioned the effectiveness of the PRP as he said it relied on funding from World Rugby.

“In the RPA’s case it is fine for them to be taking funding from the RFU because they have a working relationship but it is blatantly clear that the Samoan Rugby Union do not respect the players so for us to be funded through them or World Rugby would not make sense,” said Leo.

“How can you be a pressure group if you are receiving funding from those you are meant to be putting pressure on? I think we are the only independently funded players’ association in world rugby.”

Ticket price drop to see revenues halved

The RFU will see their revenues for hosting a Test match at Twickenham halve from £10 million to £5 million when England face Samoa on Saturday.

The governing body is still expecting a crowd of over 80,000 but ticket and corporate hospitality prices have been reduced in comparison to the Tests against Argentina and Australia, with the lowest ticket prices on Saturday starting at £30. 

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