Gerard Meagher

The chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, Bill Sweeney, saw his salary rise to £1.1m during the 2023-24 financial year despite record losses and swingeing job losses at the governing body.

As is standard practice, after one last night together, perhaps sharing a collective sigh of relief at ending their losing streak against Japan, England's players have returned to their clubs.

Morale-boosting win over Japan cannot conceal issues facing a coach who could be running out of time

Beneath the headline figures of the chief executive’s bumper raise, what does the RFU stand for and want to achieve?

This mightily impressive Saracens victory came with a touch of the slapstick – howling winds can make any player look silly – and a reminder of the farce that is Tom Willis's continued England omission.

Struggling clubs to come under further scrutiny over Covid bailout loans

Premiership rugby clubs are set to come under further scrutiny by the government over the repayments of their £124m Covid bailout loans

Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube could be ousted from the Rugby Football Union early next year with both senior figures facing a motion to be dismissed at a likely special general meeting following a grassroots rebellion.

Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube could be ousted from the Rugby Football Union early next year with both senior figures facing a motion to be dismissed

RFU chair Tom Ilube in talks after emergency council meeting, with grassroots rebellion by clubs set to force vote of no confidence in him and chief executive Bill Sweeney