Putting Rugby First has published its response to an IRB letter and public statement that attempts to dismiss the findings of its report into rugby’s global future. The letter written by Quentin Smith, one of the co-authors of the Putting Rugby First report, replies to that from Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of the IRB, and a subsequent press release

Quentin Smith’s letter provides a point-by-point analysis of the IRB’s criticisms, identifying the degree to which the IRB seems unaware of the actual contents of the report and correcting some of their most glaring misinterpretations of it.

Quentin Smith also takes the opportunity to reinforce some of the most important messages contained in the report:

• Making the IRB more democratically accountable to its full membership is not only a fundamental issue of principle but would also inject new vigour and innovation to the growth of the sport internationally
• The IRB has known the scale of the challenges and the need for action for several years, yet has not acted decisively
• That, while the IRB is doing much good work, there is uncertainty about its vision and a lack of transparency in the way it works
• This is particularly evident in its plans for the hosting of the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups (RWCs). In the week that nine Unions have confirmed their intention to tender for these events, Smith’s letter asks important questions about the IRB’s position on rugby’s flagship event:
• Responding to the IRB’s suggestion that awarding 2015 and 2019 at the same time will increase the probability of a RWC going to a non-traditional territory, Smith asks, “Why will a two-cycle approach make a difference when separate, minimum guarantees are required? Why not aggregate the financial target across the two events?”
• Does the IRB have a view on the desirability of taking the RWC to a new territory as a means of building the game’s global footprint or not? If yes, what concrete steps are in place to bring this about?
• Dealing with the concern that the Putting Rugby First report seeks to weaken the position of the IRB, Smith says; “We do not seek to undermine the IRB but wish to see it soar with justifiable authority for the recognised benefit of all. We believe that it can lead with credibility and integrity but that changes are necessary to ensure confidence and trust.”

The letter concludes by encouraging the IRB to look to rugby’s next ten years, rather than rely on its faith in its own past achievements.

Putting Rugby First’s press release and its full letter to IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset can be downloaded from this page.