Bill Sweeney took his seat at the Twickenham Allianz Suite and wished the room a happy new year, but the Goodwill season feels a long time ago for the CEO of the RFU.
He said his intention to remain in his role until 2027, but that will be a difficult task, even if he survives an SGM vote of non -confidence signed by more than 150 clubs.
In a press conference of an hour, he defended his payment check of £ 1.1 million, the ongoing rotation of England coaches and the financial performance of the RFU.
There were repeated references to 'erroneous information' and 'hypothetical', none of which will do a lot to improve the mood in the houses of clubs throughout the country.
“I am certainly committed to going to the end of this cycle, which is the end of 2027,” Sweeney said. I have never thought about giving up.
'From a personal perspective, what I am listening is less about the incentive scheme and the bonus.
The CEO of the RFU, Bill Sweeney, declared his intention to remain in his role until 2027, a difficult task
Sweeney (Left) defended its £ 1.1 million payment check, the rotation of coaches and RFU's finances
Last year, England lost seven of the 12 tests with chief coach Steve Borthwick in charge
'When I go to a rugby club, there are a set of things we are trying to have nothing to do with the PGP or the Cup of Nations or these largest projects. These are basic things such as the payment of players in the fans game, the cost of executing a club, taxes that rise, public services go up, loss of players, recruit volunteers.
'It is an amalgam that has always been there. When the incentive scheme was announced, it was a bit lightning for that to come out. That is my personal opinion.
Even if Sweeney loses the vote on March 27, it is not clear if in fact it will leave. “When the vote arrives, it is a decision of the Board,” he said.
The frustrations bubbled much before their bonus payment, at the end of a financial year when the RFU suffered record losses of £ 37.9 million and made 27 redundancies.
In Defense of Sweeney, it is operating in an obsolete system, fighting with responsibilities throughout the community, the club and the international game. However, it has supervised a mandate in which three premier -go clubs have gone bankrupt, the participation numbers have fallen, television rights have fallen and the national team has fought through succession planning between Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick.
“I think the RFU government structure needs to change significantly,” he admitted. However, that feeling does not extend to eliminate the anonymity of the review panels behind the hiring and dismissal of national coaches. Nor is he ready to present a rugby director.
“It wasn't saying” Eddie is gone, I want Steve Borthwick, “Sweeney said. 'It's the panel, rugby experts join together, discuss it, look at the options. I can be part of the conversation, but they will make a recommendation Who they think should be the next chief coach.
Much of the failure has been hidden behind the bureaucracy, the NDA and the faceless meetings.
Bungled's succession planning between Eddie Jones and Borthwick took place under Sweeney
In the defense of Sweeney (left), it is operating in an obsolete system but the discontent remains
The near Walters key coaches (in the photo) and Felix Jones delivered their notices last year
Last year, England lost seven of the 12 tests, with the surrounding key coaches nearby and Felix Jones delivering their notice. The results of the annual performance review, they said, will remain in anonymity.
“I don't think it was a chambolic,” he said about the disturbing training changes. 'You cannot legislate someone's personal freedom, personal choice in terms of what you want to do.
Do we think near Walters was going to go? No. Do we think Felix Jones was going to go? No.
'We thought they were going to stay longer. I think the style of play that has been brought, the way we are competing, I think that is progress. ''
A change in fortune for the national team in the six nations will certainly lighten the mood in English rugby, but the discontent towards Sweeney seems to go anywhere.