Thomas to stand down at RFU

The RFU's acting chief executive Martyn Thomas is to leave his post on December 16 following a board meeting at Twickenham.

The 67-year-old's position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months in the wake of the firing of former chief executive John Steele in June following a botched attempt to recruit a performance director.

Stephen Brown, the union's chief financial officer, will take over from Thomas as acting chief executive next month until a full-time appointment is made.

An RFU statement read: "Martyn Thomas has decided to leave his post as RFU acting chief executive officer (CEO) on December 16, 2011 following the end of his contract

"RFU chief financial officer Stephen Brown, in addition to continuing to fulfil his current responsibilities, will become RFU acting CEO on December 16, 2011 until the start date of a new permanent CEO."

Thomas, who has been on the RFU board for six years, will also lose his post as the chairman of Rugby World Cup 2015, which England will host. He will also step down from his positions on the International Rugby Board Council and Six Nations Committee, as well as his directorship of European Rugby Cup Ltd.

A further consequence will be that the Thomas-commissioned Cotton Review, which was to be led by former Lions prop Fran Cotton to look into England's poor recent World Cup performance, will not take place.

Instead the RFU will hold an independent review once the Professional Game Board, which represents senior clubs and players, completes its own assessment.

Thomas said: "It has been an honour to be part of the Union, most particularly for the past six months as acting chief executive where I have been lucky enough to get to know better the RFU staff who work tirelessly for the good of the game. Stephen Brown for one has been a phenomenal addition to the executive team and, having got to know him very well over the last few months, I have total faith that he will provide the stability and leadership needed at this important time.

"I feel that now is the right time to spend more time with my family. As a result I have decided not to renew my contract at its conclusion in December."

The decision is the latest step in a tumultuous sequence of events for the RFU following Steele's exit after just nine months in his post.

Judge Jeff Blackett, the RFU's disciplinary officer, was asked to produce a report on Steele's sacking and his findings were highly critical of Thomas, who threatened Blackett with legal action if the report were to be published.

Thomas had previously survived two votes of no confidence from members of the RFU council and had stepped down from his position of chairman, which has since been filled by Paul Murphy.

Reports prior to Wednesday's meeting had suggested that more than 100 of the RFU's member clubs had called for Thomas to be removed in a letter to Murphy, threatening to do so via the means of a Special General Meeting if the board would not act.

Murphy said: "On behalf of the RFU I would like to thank Martyn for his contribution and dedication to rugby and the Union over the years, particularly in his last six as chairman and latterly as acting chief executive.

"He has been an integral part of the growth of the Union and the game, as well as securing the 2015 Rugby World Cup for England as hosts.

"I know he will continue to support the Union with all his efforts until his contract ends.

"As a sport we face some exciting and challenging times leading up to 2015, which will be a massive opportunity for the game in this country and as a Union it is important that the leadership structure is in place as soon as possible.

"The recruitment of a new chief executive is well under way with an appointment expected by December 14.

"The board has been hugely impressed with Stephen Brown since he joined. He is a great asset and we are fortunate to have someone of his calibre to lead the Union in this period."

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Redknapp surgery a success

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has successfully undergone a heart procedure to unblock coronary arteries, the club have confirmed.

Redknapp, 64, is in "excellent spirits" and is due to be discharged from hospital in the next 48 hours, according to Tottenham.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: "We are delighted the operation went so smoothly and successfully.

"Knowing Harry he will want to rush back, but it's important that he only does so when he has recovered properly."

Levy said Redknapp had asked for his thanks to be passed to fans who had sent goodwill messages.

Tottenham confirmed on Tuesday night that the former West Ham manager was set to undergo a "medical procedure" that would rule him out of the club's trip to Rubin Kazan this week.

Assistant manager Kevin Bond and first-team coach Joe Jordan will take charge of the team for tomorrow night's Europa League match in Russia.

Redknapp lives in Bournemouth and makes the 250-mile round trip to the club's training ground most days along with Bond.

The former Portsmouth manager, who has been in charge of Spurs for three years, admitted in March 2010 that he had started talking heart pills upon the advice of his doctors, but stressed it was not a major problem.

Writing in his Sun column, Redknapp then said: "About a year ago I needed to take heart pills and I am still taking them regularly... I am absolutely fine and have no worries about my health but this game can make the most mild-mannered of people explode as when you are sitting on the bench you get eaten up inside from first to last whistle."

On the stresses of management he added: "After a game I cannot sleep, there is too much going on in my head as I go over moves, think about game plans, think about which player has had a good or bad game - and it's worse if you lose."

Redknapp has been a big success since swapping Portsmouth for White Hart Lane in October 2008.

He earned the club qualification to the Champions League for the first time in their history in 2009 before taking Spurs to the quarter-finals of the competition last season.

The club missed out on qualifying for this year's Champions League, but currently look set to challenge for a top-four place after going on a seven-match unbeaten run which has taken them to fifth.

Redknapp's exploits at the north London club have made him the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager when the Italian steps down next summer.

Redknapp is not the first football manager in recent times to have problems with his heart.

Gerard Houllier had to have an 11-hour emergency aortic dissection after experiencing heart problems at half-time during Liverpool's game against Leeds in 2001, and the Frenchman required a similar operation last season when in charge of Aston Villa.

The former Lyon manager, who like Redknapp is 64 years old, returned to manage Liverpool after five months out, but he did not take charge of another game at Villa following his most recent heart scare and left the midlands club in the summer.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had a pacemaker fitted in 2004, but was back at work the following day.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce underwent a heart procedure while in charge of Blackburn in 2009, and Joe Kinnear had a triple-heart bypass earlier in the same year while at Newcastle.

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Seasiders spank 10-man Leeds

Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka was taken off at half-time after a pair of costly errors sent 10-man Leeds spiralling to a 5-0 home loss to Blackpool.

Jonjo Shelvey notched a hat-trick for Blackpool and Lomana Lua Lua bagged a brace on his first start for the club, but despite banishing consecutive defeats with an at-times swashbuckling display, Ian Holloway's men had more than a little help from Rachubka.

Signed after his release by Blackpool this summer, Rachubka has endured a tough introduction to the United first team since Andy Lonergan suffered a fractured finger last month.

He was publicly backed by boss Simon Grayson after a mistake handed Coventry a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, but his shaky form has continued and his manager was in less conciliatory mood as 18-year-old Alex Cairns was handed his professional debut at the start of the second half.

Following Lua Lua's opener he spilt a routine catch, leading to Tom Lees' dismissal for deliberate handball and Shelvey's first from the penalty spot.

On-loan Liverpool playmaker Shelvey found his second goal amid more gift-wrapping as Rachubka dropped a Lua Lua shot at his feet.

Blackpool's leading lights added a goal apiece in the second half to make it an uncomfortable night for Grayson against the club he left in acrimonious circumstances in December 2008.

Despite starting on the back foot Leeds had the game's first opening when Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks failed to hold a Robert Snodgrass free-kick from deep on the right flank.

Patrick Kisnorbo, starting in place of head injury victim Darren O'Dea, reacted quickest in a crowded penalty area but was thwarted first by Gilks and then centre-back Craig Cathcart.

Blackpool sprung up the other end to open the scoring as Stephen Crainey's delightful through ball released Shelvey in the inside-left position. His shot was parried by Rachubka towards Lua Lua who slotted home the 13th minute rebound.

The Seasiders doubled their advantage in farcical circumstances after 27 minutes. Rachubka dropped a routine cross from Alex Baptiste, Ludovic Sylvestre looked to pounce and Lees handled the goalbound shot to receive his marching orders.

Shelvey emphatically finished from the spot only for referee Roger East to rule out the effort for encroachment.

Unruffled, Shelvey calmly stroked his second effort beyond Rachubka's dive into the bottom corner, and the former Charlton youngster would benefit from an even simpler opportunity four minutes later.

Lua Lua drove speculatively from 25 yards and Rachubka spilt the shot, leaving Shelvey to round the prone, beleaguered goalkeeper and make it three.

Academy product Cairns was then given a raucous reception as he commenced his warm-up and a section of the home fans made their feelings clear 10 minutes before half-time, booing as Rachubka received a backpass.

The introduction of Luciano Becchio and Cairns briefly buoyed Leeds as the second half began.

Gilks rushed from his line to avert the danger as Adam Clayton burst through the Seasiders' defence, and top scorer Ross McCormack had a shot blocked, with optimistic penalty shouts falling on deaf ears.

Cairns received his second ovation of the night following a routine save from Shelvey, but he was left with no chance in the 65th minute when Lua Lua cut inside Paul Connelly and lashed into the top corner.

Substitute Martinez Angel then played through Shelvey to clinically complete his hat-trick with 12 minutes remaining.

Leeds' misery was complete, a six-match unbeaten home run left in tatters.

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Bluebirds seal win with a Kiss

Filip Kiss scored his first goal for Cardiff in a convincing 3-0 win at lacklustre Derby which moved the Welsh club into the play-off places.

The Rams' unbeaten run of four home games was ended with aplomb by a vigorous Bluebirds performance, Slovakian Kiss opening the scoring in the first half.

The second half saw Kevin Kilbane turn the ball into his own net and Peter Whittingham slot home a regulation third as Cardiff produced their first away win since the opening day of the season.

Cardiff struggled to assert any authority in the opening stages and their blushes were spared when an unmarked Jason Shackell failed to connect with Ben Davies's dangerous free-kick.

But against the initial run of play, the visitors went ahead in the 20th minute and did not look back.

Ben Turner teased a ball across the Derby backline to Kiss, who dug out a dipping drive to beat Frank Fielding at his near post.

Craig Conway might have doubled the advantage immediately when Kenny Miller dummied the ball into his path, but Fielding was on hand to smother the shot.

The Rams tried to respond through Jamie Ward, but the winger's shot was saved by David Marshall.

Right-back Russell Anderson was then forced off after 30 minutes through injury, with Jake Buxton his replacement.

But the visitors also suffered an injury blow of their own when Marshall failed to re-emerge after the break following a first-half knock. Tom Heaton took his place.

Cardiff were first to threaten after the interval as Aron Gunnarsson launched a dipping drive from distance that rippled the top of Fielding's net, before Conway slammed a snapshot across the goalmouth and wide.

Turner arrived to head into Fielding's hands and Whittingham saw his powerful shot blocked by Jeff Hendrick before the hour mark as the home team retreated further into their shells.

A rare foray forward saw a good chance wasted, Shackell rising to meet Davies's corner but nodding agonisingly over the crossbar, and the sucker punch arrived in the 61st minute.

Whittingham whipped in a regulation corner which a disorientated Kilbane headed into the roof of his own net.

Nigel Clough then withdrew 15-year-old striker Mason Bennett, who was making only his second senior start. His replacement Callum Ball's first act was a left-footed drive that dipped just over Heaton's crossbar.

However, it was too little too late and in the 73rd minute Kiss supplied Whittingham just inside the area for the ex-Birmingham man to fire home with ease.

Hendrick tried a speculative drive, blocked by Gunnarsson, as Derby sought a consolation goal in the final 10 minutes.

Substitute Tomasz Cywka gave Heaton something to do with a pacy effort five minutes from time, but the battle was lost.

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