RFU chief Sweeney clings on after vote of no confidence as revolt fails

The RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, survived a vote of no confidence in his leadership last night at a special general meeting at the Allianz Stadium.

- Matt Hughes

A motion of no confidence in Sweeney and a proposal for the RFU directors to terminate his contract was rejected by 466 votes to 206 after an 80-minute meeting.

There were 36 abstentions, with the 708 votes registered representing the biggest turnout in an RFU vote for more than 20 years, albeit still little more than 50% of the membership. A second motion brought by the RFU, proposing greater devolution of powers to the regions to address local issues, was passed with an 80% majority.

The RFU interim chair, Bill Beaumont, called for unity after the vote and described the outcome as "emphatic" in his closing address, but the wounds of this long-running dispute will take some time to heal.