Slaughter and May has been instructed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to undertake a review of its corporate governance amid intense media scrutiny of the top levels of English rugby's governing body.

The review, which will be led by Slaughters corporate partner Nigel Boardman, will aim to assess the effectiveness of current practice at the RFU, in particular the relationship between its board of directors and council.

The news comes as a result of an earlier investigation by RFU disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett into the sacking of RFU chief executive officer John Steele in June and the ensuing resignation of chairman Martyn Thomas in July.

Thomas has remained at the RFU as acting CEO, despite receiving a vote of no confidence at the beginning of September.

The Blackett report, which was considered at a RFU board meeting in July, was critical of the governing body's management and of Thomas's handling of the recruitment of a new performance director.

An RFU spokesperson commented: "The RFU has readily agreed to an independent audit of its corporate governance, which was one of the recommendations in the Blackett report. The process is now ongoing."

Earlier this month the RFU approved the review's terms of reference, which include establishing whether current practice at the RFU complies with the body's own rules and regulations, government legislation and the Sport and Recreation Alliance's voluntary code of good governance.

The results of the report, which will be presented to the RFU council in December, will offer advice on the correct powers of relevant stakeholders and outline recommended amendments to the RFU's rules and regulations and current practice.

It will draw on existing RFU materials and documentation, written submissions from key stakeholders and oral submissions by interviews with certain key stakeholders.

Interviews and written submissions are due to be completed in October, with the report set to be submitted to the RFU for distribution among its council members at the end of November.

In a letter to colleagues, RFU chairman Paul Murphy said: "It is important to stress that the RFU has not become a poor organisation and the lessons learned from the events of the last few months will make us stronger. Mistakes have been made and some things could have been done better, but the important point is take appropriate action to ensure they are not repeated."