Nigel Wood return to RFL set to be confirmed after crucial decision

The Council meeting which was set to discuss Nigel Wood’s potential return to the Rugby Football League has now been postponed, Love Rugby League has been told – with enough support in place for him to return without the need of a meeting.

All professional clubs were set to meet on Wednesday morning at Wakefield Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium, with proposals tabled by Batley Bulldogs and Leigh Leopards on the agenda.

They had proposed the immediate removal of Simon Johnson as chair of the RFL: something which has now been confirmed in advance of that proposed meeting date. But they also wanted to bring back Wood as interim chair of the governing body in Johnson’s place.

However, with Johnson deciding earlier in the week he would step down before that meeting, the planned event has now been postponed. But that is because clubs were told that Wood will return as interim chair due to the fact there is enough support via proxy for him to be brought back.

It is a remarkable chain of events, leading to the return of one of the sport’s most controversial administrative figures with immediate effect, it would seem – after clubs were told the support was in place for a move to bring Wood back.

Clubs also want a member-led review of the game, with Derek Beaumont and Gary Hetherington appointed as the club representatives and with Wood to head up a new implementation committee that would report its findings to Council in July.

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