RFU launch investigation into leaked World Cup reports

RPA chief executive Damian Hopley
10 April 2012

The Rugby Football Union last night launched an investigation into the leaking of three confidential and damning reports into England's World Cup campaign.

Detailed contents from the reviews undertaken by the RFU, the Rugby Players' Association and the Aviva Premiership clubs appeared across eight pages in The Times.

The reports contain quotes from RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew and unnamed players which paint the picture of a disunited squad, riven by a lack of trust under the leadership of a management team out of their depth.

Some players are accused, both by Andrew and their team-mates, of being more concerned with their earning potential than their rugby.

The RFU's disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett is set to appoint an independent investigator to take charge of the inquiry and deliver his findings within two weeks.

Furious RPA chief executive Damian Hopley described the leaking of the documents, which were never intended for publication, as an "absolute disgrace".

England's World Cup captain Lewis Moody, who bore the brunt of the criticism reported by The Times, yesterday insisted he never put commercial gain before his rugby ambitions.

Andrew criticised Moody for leading a senior player delegation that disputed the squad's World Cup payments.

The Times quoted Andrew's RFU report as saying: "Some of the senior players were more focused on money rather than getting the rugby right." Andrew's charge is supported by evidence reportedly contained within the RPA's review, which comprised anonymous feedback from 90% of the England squad.

One player told the story of a team-mate reacting to England's quarter-final defeat to France by saying: "There's £35,000 just gone down the toilet."

Moody was also criticised by an unnamed team-mate for having too much contact with his agent, Mark Spoors, during the World Cup and setting the wrong example.

But Moody said: "I put my body on the line for the lads, the team and England every time I played and anyone who has watched me play knows that I give everything on the field and have always prioritised rugby ahead of everything
else, including financial reward.

"I have only ever undertaken personal commercial activities in my own time and I'm comfortable I got that balance right at all times.

"Where I had to be involved in commercial conversations with the RFU it was as captain, working with the RPA, representing the best interests of the players, not for any personal gain.

"I do not think anyone who knows me would think differently.

"Captaining England was, and remains, the ultimate honour for me and I accepted that honour knowing all the scrutiny that came with it.

"I am confident I did the job to the absolute best of my ability but if some of the players thought that was not enough I will have to learn to live with that.

"I have always been my own fiercest critic and have already been honest that there were some things I wish I had done differently at the World Cup, but I have learnt from the experience and hope others can do the same."

The Professional Game Board is currently drawing a set of conclusions from all three reports, with the aim of making some recommendations to the RFU board on November 30.

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