Rugby Union: New cloud over RFU

THERE is more bad news on the way for the beleaguered management board of the Rugby Football Union.

The Reform Group, who have called for a Special General Meeting on 28 March, have put forward five resolutions which not only call for a vote of no confidence in the board and in the RFU's representatives on the International Rugby Board, John Jeavons-Fellows and Malcolm Phillips, but also demand the immediate suspension of the board and IRB representatives.

Resolution Three moves that "with immediate effect the Management Board be suspended... and the Union's International Rugby Board's Representatives be dismissed". The next resolution requires the Board of Management to be replaced by an emergency board comprising the President, Peter Trunkfield, the chief executive, Francis Baron, Fran Cotton and Bill Beaumont together with four other people. If successful the RFU would then be under emergency management from the end of March until the annual meeting in July.

Away from the boardroom, the Tetley's Bitter Cup fifth round progressed with Leicester dismissing Leeds 49-0, Wendell Sailor's union swansong not withstanding, at Welford Road. It was a classic Tigers performance, with England forwards Neil Back and Martin Corry among the try scorers. Henley suffered a similar fate, overwhelmed 31-9 at Gloucester.

It was also the fifth round in the Swalec Cup, with rebel club Cardiff defeating Abertillery 33-3 at the Arms Park. The Premier Division teams had little problem: Ebbw Vale led the way with a 61-3 win at Pontypool United, Caerphilly crushed Bedwas 53-10, Neath romped home 47-3 at Penygraig, while Aberavon won 37-7 at Ystrad Rhondda. The biggest victory of the day was Bonymaen's 82-19 win over UWIC.

In the final of the WRU Challenge Trophy Llanelli beat Pontypridd 41- 18, but Bryan Redpath, the Scotland scrum-half, was carried off with an ankle injury as Edinburgh Reivers lost 25-23 at Bridgend in the third- place play-off and could be doubtful for the Five Nations.

Fly-half Thomas Castaignede, out since a shoulder operation in August, made a timely return for France as they ran in seven tries on the way to a 49-24 win over Italy in Genoa.