Tom Wood takes key role on Premiership Rugby's sporting commission
Tom Wood has played 50 times for England before retiring in 2022
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In a bid to revolutionize the administration of the club game, Premiership Rugby has appointed former England captain Tom Wood to a prominent position on their newly formed sporting commission.
This commission has been granted unprecedented decision-making authority as part of an extensive range of governance reforms. It comes as a response to a tumultuous period off the field, marked by the unfortunate demise of clubs such as Worcester, Wasps, and London Irish.
Having enjoyed a distinguished 15-year career, Wood, who retired in 2022, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With 50 caps for England, he achieved significant milestones, including two Six Nations titles in 2011 and 2017. As captain, he led the national side during their tour of Argentina in 2013, and also steered Northampton to victory in the Premiership in 2014.
Wood's inclusion as a player representative adds a valuable perspective to the seven-person commission. Joining him are three independent figures from the realms of sports and business. Among them is Mark Rawlinson, a Ministry of Justice board member known for his involvement in the "Red Knights" group, which made a bid to acquire Manchester United in 2010. Accompanying Rawlinson are prominent football executive Jane Purdon and governance expert Carys Williams.
Overseeing the commission will be Premiership Rugby official Nigel Melville, serving as chairperson, while chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor and rugby director Phil Winstanley will also be part of the panel.
Empowered with decision-making capabilities, the commission will act on behalf of the 10 remaining Premiership clubs, specifically in crucial areas like the calendar and season structure. This approach aims to mitigate conflicts and vested interests that have previously hindered the league's decision-making process.
In addition to the commission's establishment, other significant governance changes are underway, including the formation of a financial monitoring panel. This panel will exercise financial oversight across all clubs, aiming to prevent the unfortunate fates that befell Worcester, Wasps, and London Irish.
Simultaneously, discussions are ongoing to forge a new Professional Game Agreement between the Premiership, the Rugby Football Union, and the Rugby Players' Association. These efforts reflect the game's determined resolve to recover from the setbacks of the past nine months.
