Baron determined to tackle rugby’s image crisis

ENGLAND RFU chief executive Francis Baron yesterday vowed to confront the sport’s image crisis head on through the creation of a “heavyweight” task force.

Baron declared “no stone would be left unturned” in the attempt to re-establish the sport’s “core values” that he admitted have been damaged by a succession of scandals.

Bloodgate took a fresh twist on Tuesday when the appeal testimony of winger Tom Williams exposed the extent of the pressure he was put under by club officials not to reveal the full details of the incident.

With the remaining judgments from the ERC’s disciplinary process for the case expected to be published in full next week, further damning revelations are sure to emerge.

But the debacle at Harlequins is just one of a series of recent incidents that has left rugby’s reputation in tatters.

A high-profile spate of eye-gouging, including by world-class players Sergio Parisse and Schalk Burger, the ensuing defence of rugby’s most unforgivable offence by South Africa coach Peter de Villiers and the suspension of five Bath players for drug-related issues have also blighted the sport.

Baron said the RFU’s response would be swift and decisive with the identity of their specially assembled task force unveiled tomorrow.

“It has been an immensely disappointing summer. The incidents that have happened have done damage to the game and its image,” said Baron.

“Judging by my mailbox, supporters are very disappointed with what’s happened.

“Support for the game remains strong but fans don’t like what has happened and expect something to be done about it.That is what we are doing and there will be no stone left unturned throughout the process.

“I’m setting up a heavyweight group of people. These are people covering different aspects of the game, experienced and very senior people.

“Everyone I’ve talked to feels the same way – we have got to re-establish in everybody’s mind what the core values of our game are.

“If we have to change rules and regulations we will. We’re determined to get this issue addressed and to do it quickly.

“We don’t want to see any more incidents of this kind and the objective will be to ensure there will be no repetition.

Baron promised the RFU’s attempt to restore credibility would not be conducted behind closed doors.

“Transparency and speed of action are important – you can’t allow these things to drift on. Then you have to address the issues, efficiently, quickly and effectively.”