ALL three staff members at the Cornwall Rugby Development Office have been placed on notice of redundancy by the Rugby Football Union.

Jonny Stephenson, Phil Morris and Neil Smith are known throughout rugby circles in Cornwall for their tireless work and enthusiasm in promoting rugby to clubs, schools and colleges.

Dave Saunter, Cornwall RFU chairman, said: "Their expertise and easy-going manner will be sorely missed together with their knowledge of the game."

The RFU has announced that these national original roles will be deleted and replaced by the roles of Coach Development Officer and Club Development Officer but reducing the original national staffing from 140 to 44.

It is understood that the three staff members will be encouraged to apply for the posts that are on offer.

CRFU president, John Sumnall, said: “Although we appreciate that the RFU is experiencing the most difficult of financial times it is the community game that is bearing the brunt of the cuts.”

It is understood that the CRFU Management Board will now be preparing contingencies for the community game in Cornwall with the added complication of receiving only 30 per cent of their usual annual funding.

Saunter reminded followers that although the County Championship matches in season 2020/21 have been cancelled, Lancashire RFU had issued a challenge to Cornwall and are looking to visit in the spring of 2021.

He added that arrangements were in hand for matches at various levels with other south west counties, while Crawshay’s Welsh are set to visit in the spring of 2022 when they will be celebrating their centenary.