RFU ineptitude part 42

My 7 year old couldn't run a business this poorly.

The thing is though is that is fundamentally at the door of the RFU.

They chose to spend the first decade of professionalism fighting & suing the top clubs.  They've spent the next two decades paying them off and splitting them apart from the other senior clubs to divide and rule and by hook or by crook get their ring fenced franchises they wanted back in 2002 with the "Andrew Plan". 

The RFU could have recognised that England doesn't suit regions or franchises and took on the clubs by making sure they had a competition format that was inclusive & fair (as far as it can be).  The FFR did this, LNR is constituted as it is not just because the French have more solidarity but because FFR only authorised its creation with a more egalitarian format.  That was possible from the RFU too and they chose the route of fighting then bribing the clubs.

For instance I would agree with probably 80% of the good faith criticisms of the Prem clubs on here, but where I disagree with people who think they have done this in a vacuum.  It is always worth remembering that World Rugby fined and threatened to expel the RFU for the crime of allowing TV money from Sky in 1996 to go direct to the clubs, not be washed through the RFU accounts.  And that was at a time when the RFU and club relationship was at its probably lowest.  Having to fight for your existence does force people into positions they probably wouldn't have adopted otherwise.