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Damian Hopley blast at clean-up group's bias towards RFU

Chris Jones
28 Aug 2009


English rugby chiefs ran into immediate controversy today when they named a 13-strong Task Group designed to clean up the game following the scandals at Bath and Harlequins.

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players Association, is unhappy that there is only one current player on the group, PRA chairman David Barnes.

Former England star Lawrence Dallaglio is also on the panel along with nine representatives of the Rugby Football Union and two chairmen of Premiership clubs.

Hopley said: "It is lopsided towards the RFU. It's important that we get this right and that is why I would welcome a review of the group's make-up to ensure the professional game is properly represented. Of course we welcome the instigation of the Task Group, but let's give it the right people who can deal with all of the serious issues facing the sport.

"It needs to be more inclusive in terms of those involved in the professional game."

RFU chief executive Francis Baron defended the way the Task Group was chosen.

He said: "We needed to have a small but high level group which had the authority to act swiftly and decisively.

"The Task Group will also have the powers to call on anyone involved in the game for information and opinion and this will certainly involve players, coaches, referees and club officials at all levels."

The Task Group, launched in the wake of Quins' Bloodgate scandal and Bath's drugs controversy, have until the end of next month to come up with recommendations.

The task force

John Owen, president of the RFU, chairman of Task Group

Martyn Thomas, chairman of RFU management board, IRB rep

Francis Baron OBE, RFU chief executive

Cecil Duckworth OBE
, owner of Worcester, PRL board member

Andrew Coppel CBE, chairman of London Irish, PRL board member

David Barnes, Bath RFC player, chairman of PRA

Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, retired player, director at Wasps

His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, RFU disciplinary officer

Bob Rogers
, RFU past president and chairman of RFU Core Values' Task Group

Peter Baines, chairman, RFU governance standing committee

Rob Andrew MBE, RFU elite rugby director

Andrew Scoular, RFU community rugby director

Peter Thomas, RFU corporate communications director

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