You are in > manchester.com  > News > IRB heavily criticised in new report into future of rugby

Rugby Union

IRB heavily criticised in new report into future of rugby

27/07/2008

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has been heavily criticised in a specialist report looking at the future of rugby union.

'Putting Rugby First' is a report produced by a group of specialist sports consultants including Quentin Smith, the chairman of Guinness Premiership side the Sale Sharks.

The report accuses the IRB of failing to maximise its commercial potential and of making a mistake in awarding the 2011 World Cup to New Zealand, rather than one of the sport's emerging nations.

"Unless the game shakes up its structure and strategy, it will not develop the newer nations fast enough and will continue to lag behind other more innovative sports in the competition for global fans and finance," Smith said.

"The IRB should be applauded for its aim of globalising rugby - the problem is not enough is being done to make this happen," said co-author William Field.

"Our proposed solution is to give the IRB greater power and authority in some areas. But this can only be achieved by reforming the Institution itself.

"We want 'Putting Rugby First' to stimulate a new debate about what the future looks like and how the game will make that future happen faster, more efficiently and more fairly."

The six key goals for the reform of rugby union:

1. A more democratic and representative structure for the IRB
2. Best practice standards for corporate governance and management
3. A five-year plan for rugby's global development
4. Specific programmes with measurable objectives designed to deliver growth in priority territories
5. The 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup hosted in a priority territory
6. The inclusion of Sevens in the 2016 Olympics