New strategic plan targets consistent international success for England Rugby

On the eve of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, the RFU have outlined consistent success for England Rugby at international level as one of the four key goals laid out in their new strategic plan.

While the Red Roses have consistently delivered time and time again, England’s men are bidding to win their first Six Nations title since 2020, and their first Grand Slam in a decade, having fallen behind France and Ireland as the dominant northern hemisphere team.

Eddie Jones’ England reached the final of Rugby World Cup 2019, but closer to home, they were unable to build on their back-to-back Six Nations title wins in 2016 and 2017 and deliver a lasting dynasty of success in the championship.

However, a run of 11 straight wins and a world ranking of third makes it feel like this could finally be England’s year, and one the RFU hope will be the start of something special.

“Success on the international stage remains a powerful source of inspiration. England Rugby will strengthen alignment across the professional game, invest in coaching and performance pathways, and continue to lead globally on player welfare and safety. The aim is not only to consistently win senior international competitions, but to do so in a way that inspires future generations and supports a thriving domestic game,” the strategic plan said.

While reticent to put a timeframe and the number of titles targeted to this mission statement, the RFU have boldly stated that they want to recruit 50,000 news players by 2030.

Recognising that the school state sector is an undermined resource, they will look to non-traditional schools to harness growth.

The vision statement said: “The strategy puts participation at its heart; with a focus on making rugby relevant, accessible and enjoyable for all ages. With an overall goal of attracting an additional 50,000 registered players (from a base of 290,000 currently), the strategy sets out a plan to grow the game in schools and colleges, expand age-appropriate and inclusive formats such as T1 Rugby, and improve experiences at key transition points where players are most likely to drop out.”

It is estimated that less than 10 per cent of England’s population can be classed as fans of the various national rugby teams, and the RFU want to unearth at least another half-a-million more over the next four years.

Making it easier for clubs and volunteers to run the game has also been identified as vital to the overall growth of the game.

To help them achieve their goals, the RFU plans to invest £500m back into the sport by 2030.

Bill Sweeney, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Rugby in England has made real progress over the last few years, but we also know the environment we’re operating in is more competitive and more complex than ever. This strategy is about building on our strengths, being honest about where we need to improve, and setting a clear direction for the next stage of the game’s development.

“Our four goals – Play, Perform, Follow and Fund – reflect the whole rugby ecosystem. From getting more young people playing and supporting our clubs and volunteers, to winning on the international stage and investing sustainably in the game, this is a joined-up plan for long-term success.

“We’re ambitious, but we’re also realistic. Delivering this strategy means doing some things differently; modernising how we work, staying relevant to young people, and continuing to lead the world on player welfare and safety. Above all, it’s about working with the rugby family to shape the future of the game together.”