THE Rugby Football Union’s Board of Directors today discussed the Professional Game Board review into England’s Rugby World Cup 2011 performance and approved the following: 

• England should appoint a Head Coach with the appropriate experience and track record in time for the tour of South Africa in June 2012
   
• An interim Head Coach should be appointed to prepare England for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations
   
• The interim and permanent England Head Coach will report to the Chief Executive and the Board of Directors
   
• The support structures around the senior England team will be re-evaluated, including the appointment of a Senior England Team Manager to handle all non-playing responsibilities of the team
   
• Additional support structures to be implemented will include:

- Stricter parameters over the presence of agents in international camp
- Consideration of security resources on tour
- A leadership group of players with a cross-section of age and experience

• An independent review of the RFU’s Elite Rugby Department
   
• Rob Andrew will formally be appointed to the role of RFU Professional Rugby Director with responsibilities for all Professional Rugby Department operations, including the relationship with Premiership Rugby, Tournaments and Competitions and England representative teams except the senior side
   
• A full and co-ordinated schedule of visits to Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs by the national coaching group  
   
• A full review of senior England team medical and sports science processes and protocols
   
• The RFU will make players fully aware of the importance of adhering to core values when representing England
   
• The RFU will improve communication between the players, the RPA and the RFU commercial department on planned commercial activities
   
• The RFU will create a stable and trusted management structure for the governance of the RFU itself and to support the senior England team

RFU Acting Chief Executive Stephen Brown said: “Firstly, I would like to apologise on behalf of the Union for the damage that has been caused to the reputation of the game during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. All those involved in the sport at all levels have rightly been upset by recent events. We underperformed at the World Cup and there were events throughout the tournament that were not acceptable. We are determined to address the cause of those issues and will ensure that they are not repeated.

“I would like to thank Ian Metcalfe for bringing together the PGB report and recommendations and we believe that the actions approved today will in the long term help the England team and elite rugby in this country move forward to where we all want it to be.”

PGB Chairman Ian Metcalfe added: “This has been a wide-ranging exercise and I would like to thank all those who contributed to the reviews, especially the England players, coaches and management, Premiership Rugby and the RPA.

“It has been made difficult by the leaking of confidential information and on behalf of the PGB I would like to apologise to all those who contributed in good faith.

“I am sure that everybody shares a real determination that we should recruit the very best man for the Head Coach’s job, that we should take the time needed to do that, and that the support structures around that person and the squad are world class.”