Bill Sweeney: RFU chief executive determined to sort ‘broken’ English game

A reduction in the size of the Premiership as a way forward has already been suggested by the league with Sweeney agreeing it was “viable” and there was a “clear financial benefit” around fewer teams getting a bigger slice of broadcasting and commercial revenues.

“The clear intention there is that we’ll be able to drive more value through less volume – and you’ll have better quality volume that will drive better quality value as well,” he said.

Sweeney also endorsed the idea of revamping the Championship to close the “huge” financial gap between the top two divisions and making it a “viable competition for a Premiership club to drop down into” capable of supporting clubs with top-flight ambitions to grow responsibly.

“I want to end the myth that we’re anti-Championship or the second tier,” Sweeney said. “I can understand why the myth’s developed but the endless funding into the previous model was not the answer.”

Although current funding from the RFU has dropped from £6.5m in 2017 to £1.5m, Sweeney says the fact that 14 of the 17 teams relegated from the Premiership in that time have come straight back up shows the model “wasn’t working” and the RFU couldn’t justify “pumping money into clubs that were losing money”.

Any fundamental changes to the game’s structure would also focus on the relationship between club and international calendars with Sweeney adamant it was a “major priority” to avoid any clashes, saying overlapping “doesn’t help anybody”.

No changes are expected before the start of the 2024-25 season, with Sweeney clear there was a “collective will to fix the situation”.

“I believe we will come through this stronger and in better shape. I don’t see this as the demise of our game over the longer term.

“This next era has got to be about strong governance, sustainability and player welfare. It’s time to be decisive and take advantage of the opportunities that come out in this very difficult time.”