RFU statement: The hospitalisation of CEO Bill Sweeney

The RFU have issued a statement on the health of Bill Sweeney, the chief executive who was admitted to the hospital last Friday with a blood clot. It read: “Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, was admitted to hospital on Friday and he is being treated for pulmonary embolism.

“Bill is expected to make a full recovery and return to work. He is in good spirits and is being well looked after. Bill will be recuperating for the next few weeks; initially in hospital but returning home soon.  

“In the interim, the RFU executive team will ensure union matters continue to be managed effectively working closely with Tom Ilube, RFU chair, and the rest of the board as needed. Bill would like to convey his strongest possible appreciation for the NHS who perform such incredible work.”

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Sweeney made headlines in March with his unwavering support as the RFU boss for the embattled England boss Eddie Jones, whose team suffered another disappointing Guinness Six Nations campaign. 

England recorded just two wins in five matches for the second successive year, but Jones’ boss at Twickenham insisted he was still the right man to lead England at the 2023 World Cup finals in France. Sweeney also outlined that an Englishman would be the preferred RFU candidate to succeed Jones as England coach when those finals are over.    

The ex-All Blacks coach was in the company of Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu when he laid it on thick to an English dinner guest…#AllBlacks #England #RugbyWorldCup https://t.co/50f0Wx1xec

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 7, 2022

It was May 2019 when Sweeney was appointed CEO at the RFU after serving nearly six years as CEO at the British Olympic Association. His earlier business career included senior roles at adidas and Puma, and corporate management with Shell, Mars and Unilever.

Although a lifelong rugby supporter, Sweeney was initially a schoolboy footballer at Chelsea FC and then English Universities captain. He switched to rugby, first with Aberdeenshire and then Abu Dhabi, Rosslyn Park and Weybridge Vandals, and he now has strong connections at Richmond.