Thomas issues legal threat over report

The Rugby Football Union’s acting chief executive Martyn Thomas has threatened to sue the governing body’s chief disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett over the latter’s daming report into the sacking John Steele as chief executive.

Thomas has acted to stop the report, which called for the chairman (Thomas) and eight of the nine non-executive members of the RFU board to stand down immediately, from being made public by threatening to sue Blackett for defamation.

Meanwhile, Thomas has opened the way for Martin Johnson to continue as England manager beyond the World Cup – if he wants to.

Johnson is contracted until December and after leading England to their first Six Nations title in eight years, Johnson hinted he would like to continue. Thomas said: "Martin is an honest assessor. He will say he is pleased with what he has done and is staying or that he is not happy."