The conflict-riddled Rugby Football Union is poised for another furious internal row this week - barely 24 hours before England tackle New Zealand at Twickenham.
The RFU's International Board representative, John Jeavons-
Fellows, faces a vote of no confidence when the 50-strong RFU council meet tomorrow.
Controversial RFU management board chairman Cliff Brittle, together with his major allies Fran Cotton (national playing committee vice-chairman), and Graham
Cattermole (finance committee chairman), has instigated the move.
Brittle is thought to be unhappy with the way Jeavons-Fellows
represents the RFU on IB issues.
''These three senior RFU officials have called for John
Jeavons-Fellows' removal as the IB representative,'' said Richard Prescott, RFU the director of communications. ''This matter was first raised at a management board meeting on November 27, and will be discussed further on Friday.''
Jeavons-Fellows opposed Brittle for the RFU chairmanship in
January, 1996, and they have remained arch-rivals ever since.
Following Brittle's re-election almost five months ago, Jeavons-Fellows is known to have been
critical of the millionaire businessman's management style.
During the Brittle regime, former RFU secretary Tony Hallett and treasurer Colin Herridge quit, culminating in the bitter two-year Twickenham power struggle.
If the no-confidence vote in Jeavons-Fellows is passed, then he would lose his place on the management board and need to seek re-election for a council seat.
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