Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 20261 on Rugby, if she will have further discussions with (a) the Rugby Football Union and (b) Premiership Rugby on (i) current governance issues and (ii) securing necessary partnerships to ensure the long-term stability of the game, in the context of the Rugby Football Union's rejection of a Special General Meeting about the future of the game and rugby governance.

I meet regularly with stakeholders such as the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby. The RFU is independent of the Government and is responsible for the regulation and governance of rugby union, and for protecting and promoting the financial sustainability of the sport.

My department will continue to work with the RFU, representatives of Premiership clubs and Championship clubs, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union.