RFU sets out ambitious aim to eclipse football as ‘strongest’ sport in England

• Union unveils five-year plan aimed at setting new standards
• ‘Our definition of strongest isn’t necessarily biggest,’ says Steve Brown

No one could accuse the Rugby Football Union of not thinking big in the latest five‑year mission statement announced by its new chief executive, Steve Brown. Eddie Jones has long been focused on bringing back the 2019 World Cup but Brown has gone further by seeking to make rugby England’s strongest sport.

The day when rugby overtakes football as the country’s pre-eminent team sport is unlikely to dawn imminently but recent events at the Football Association have done little to dissuade the RFU it can set standards others will eventually seek to emulate. Brown admits the target is ambitious but is unapologetic.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2yKmqwi