Rugby chiefs in legal threat to their own man

The Rugby Football Union threatened to take legal action against their own disciplinary chief Jeff Blackett following his damning report into the organisation.

He was asked by the RFU to investigate the circumstances surrounding former chief executive John Steele's departure following the shambolic search for a new elite performance director.

Blackett recommended that chairman Martyn Thomas resigned along with the non‑executive members of the management board. Thomas subsequently quit his role although the board members remain.

However, it was the stinging criticism within Blackett's 48-page report, which prompted the threat of legal action on the grounds of defamation.

It had been anticipated that the full report would be published but it was announced last night that only a summary of it will be made public.

Blackett is understood to be considering his position following the turn of events.