Hetherington fearful Woodward could cause Boycott-like schism

The game’s governing body is in chaos amid resignations and political infighting among its top brass.

And the Leeds Carnegie chief executive fears that until a role is either found for Woodward, or the idea taken off the table, the unrest will continue.

Officials from all 12 Premiership clubs are meeting this week to make the case for what action should be taken at Twickenham following the departure of John Steele as chief executive, and the loss of a number of high-profile jobs.

Woodward has publically said he wants to continue his role within the British Olympic Association following the uncertainty over whether he was invited to interview for the RFU’s performance director, an embarrassing fiasco that led to Steele’s removal.

Hetherington likened the Woodward situation to Sir Geoffrey Boycott’s influence at Yorkshire three decades ago, in that the legendary batsman polarised opinion in the county cricket club’s boardroom.

But as England prepare to begin a home World Cup cycle at the end of the year, Hetherington has called for clarity.

“The Clive Woodward affect is part of the problem,” said Hetherington, whose Leeds team were relegated last season.

“It reminds me very much of Yorkshire and Geoffrey Boycott 30 or so years ago. Even when he wasn’t at Yorkshire he had an influence.

“He had supporters and detractors at the club in equal measure and it had a real destabilising effect for Yorkshire cricket.

“At the time I was just a youngster but I remember it creating a lot of politicial infighting. That was a very difficult period for the club.

“I use that as an analogy to the RFU situation. In a similar way Sir Clive Woodward seems to be having this sort of influence in the RFU.

“There’s people who want him back, people who don’t want him back, and he’s sat on the sidelines.

“As long as that drags on it appears to be at the heart of what’s happening at the RFU.

“To be fair to Sir Clive he has come out publicly and said he wants to stay at the BOA. But what you also hear is he is saying something different in private.”

The Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand in eight weeks after which England will pick up the baton as host nation for the 2015 tournament.

But the RFU is currently a rudderless ship. It does not have a permanent chairman, chief executive, finance director or performance director in place.

Judge Jeff Blackett produced a damning independent report last week which found a widespread belief that ‘governance at the top of the Union is broken’.

Premiership chairmen and chief executives are discussing the fall-out from Blackett’s report – and are expected to add their voices to a barrage of criticism aimed at the RFU.

The RFU board and the RFU Council, which is comprised of representatives of the amateur game, have both come in for stinging criticism.

The Council commissioned Blackett to investigate the circumstances surrounding the hiring and firing of John Steele as chief executive.

Blackett’s 52-page report recommended that chairman Martyn Thomas and the majority of the board should resign – but he received little support from the Council in the July 10 meeting.

Thomas did stand down as chairman but he then threatened to sue Blackett for defamation if the 52-page report was published. The Council voted to keep the contents confidential.

Hetherington thinks that until the report is fully disclosed it will be difficult for the matter to go away, but feels whoever comes in to steer the ship, following the Steele blueprint is essential.

Hetherington said: “Losing John Steele was a big loss to the organisation. He brought a real sense of balance to the RFU.

“He understood the issues within the game, he had a feel for everything. John didn’t have a political agenda.

“He was unceremoniously ejected which was all due to the politics of the time.

“Whoever they bring in has to have John’s qualities.

“The game’s always been wrought with politics and this is a high-profile case.

“This turmoil is not good for the game. The quicker we can get it sorted the better.

“Rugby union at the highest level is a very political arena.”