Do you trust the RFU? - Event Date: 30 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2025

Perhaps they work for the RFU? Although having said that I do know some RFU employees who are deeply upset with King Billy's bonus at a time that some of their hard working colleagues have been made redundant.

For what its worth here are 10 reasons (I could list a lot more) why I do not trust the RFU and directly beneath these 10 reasons all the reasons why in my opinion I should trust the RFU. 

If I have any of my facts wrong I will be happy to correct this post (although such corrective information may not on its own change my mistrust.......once the trust has gone it is very, very difficult to restore)

1. The byzantine governance structure of the RFU is opaque, breeds mistrust and is very heavily loaded in favour of the RFU Executive

2. As far as I can deduce from various constitutional documents I have looked at, the Board of the RFU appoints the members of the Board of the RFU (enabling cronyism at its absolute worst) how can this possibly be allowed ?

3. The RFU Council which used to be the 'oversight watchdog' appears to have absolutely no power being only able to rubber stamp the decisions made by the Executive 

4. The pay and rations for the Executive does not seem to be based upon any common sense measure of performance.  The RFU Executive have paid themselves significant bonuses in a time when the game and their own staff are suffering

5. The vast majority of the RFU's resources (which in reality are the resources of all 1600+ rugby clubs in England) are very clearly skewed to the elite game and just 10 out of the 1600+ clubs

6. The RFU play fast and loose with the league structures below the Premiership and often do not even set out the rules re promotion and relegation until the season is nearly over.

7.The RFU cut the funding of Championship clubs from £650k pa to £150k pa so they could maintain their ridiculous funding of the 10 hugely loss making Premiership clubs. Now the RFU wants these 2nd tier clubs to fund significant infrastructure improvements to remain in the 2nd tier. You couldn't make it up!

8. The RFU seems to be happy for one of Worcester Warriors/Wasps or London Irish to return to the league structure at level 2 even those 3 clubs have previously gone spectacularly bust leaving creditors unpaid and previous insolvencies have required clubs to go to the bottom of the pyramid.

9. The RFU has cut virtually all funding to clubs below level 2 whilst enriching those at the top of the game.

10. Recent coverage in the media suggests that the RFU Executive uses spin, deflection and external experts to justify its unacceptable, unfair and undemocratic behaviour.

I cannot think of one reason why I should trust the RFU. If anyone can please do let us know, I am sure those viewing Rolling Maul will be genuinely interested. It would be good to understand the view point of the 3 posters who have said they do trust the RFU. 

If any of the three such responders are to provide some insight on here it would be helpful in furthering understanding, perhaps they have some direct experience that supports their view and I for one would be pleased to hear such views. Accordingly I believe it is fundamental that their point of view is respected and not denigrated .....no one is going to post such a comment if they are going to get a barrage of vitriolic abuse.

Rothman2 I presume your comment is in relation to the 3 voters who trust the RFU?