• Plans take shape for demanding special general meeting
• ‘They have to go. Clubs have just had enough,’ says source

Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube could be ousted from the Rugby Football Union early next year with both senior figures facing a motion to be dismissed at a likely special general meeting following a grassroots rebellion.

Led by the Rugby Football Referees’ Union and backed by the Championship clubs, there is a campaign to sign up enough clubs to force a special general meeting. Plans are being finalised to table a motion calling for both Ilube, the chairman, and Sweeney, the chief executive, to be removed. There is a belief among the rebels that up to 300 clubs may eventually sign up – easily surpassing the required 100 and giving Sweeney 14 days to respond, and 45 days to convene the meeting, most likely in February.