Rugby Union
New Zealand Rugby confident about ‘transformational’ private equity deal
New Zealand Rugby's chief executive Mark Robinson has said that he is confident a proposed private equity investment deal for the union will go ahead despite recent concerns expressed by players
Average French audience of 7.6 million tuned in for Six Nations finale
An average audience of 7.6 million viewers watched the final match of this year’s Six Nations tournament between France and Scotland on French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions.
NZRPA rejects New Zealand Rugby’s proposed Silver Lake deal
The New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) has moved to oppose New Zealand Rugby’s proposed deal to sell a stake in the organisation to US private equity firm Silver Lake, citing concerns over p…
Premiership rugby clubs propped up with £88m government funding package
English Premiership rugby union clubs will receive £88m (€103.3m/$121.6m
Private equity deal to usher constitutional change at Rugby Australia
Rugby Australia chief executive Hamish McLennan said planned private equity investment will lead to modernisation of the sport's structure in Australia, as well as shoring up its ailing finances
WRU sets ‘red line’ over live Welsh-language free-to-air Six Nations coverage
The Welsh Rugby Union has said that ensuring Wales’ Six Nations matches remain live on free-to-air television in the Welsh language is a “red line” in ongoing discussions over the UK broadcast rights from …
Ben Cronin | Bruin partnership burnishes CVC’s appeal to sport
SportBusiness Europe editor Ben Cronin argues CVC's 2019 strategic partnership with Bruin Sports Capital points at how the private equity firm might seek to extract value from its new investments in volleyball and the Six Nations rugby tournament
World Rugby to support Pacific teams’ Super Rugby entry
Rugby union's world governing body is to contribute $1.65m (€1.4m) over three years to help two teams from the Pacific Islands enter the Super Rugby competition from 2022.
South Africa to stage Lions tour after contingency plans rejected
The British & Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa will go ahead as scheduled this summer after an agreement was reached with the South African Rugby Union.
Ex-Stade Toulousain president Bouscatel to succeed Goze as LNR president
René Bouscatel, the former president of French Top 14 club Stade Toulousain, has been elected president of France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the rugby union body that operates the country’s Top …
France Télévisions attracts 7m peak audience for Six Nations drama
French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions benefitted from late drama during the France versus Wales Six Nations match on Saturday evening, attracting a peak audience of just over 7 million v…
Bath Ales extends Bath Rugby deal as fans eye mid-May return to stadium
UK beer brand Bath Ales has extended its long-running sponsorship of English Premiership side Bath Rugby for a further two years to the end of the 2021-22 season
Gilpin named World Rugby CEO after temporary tenure
Alan Gilpin has today (Thursday) been named World Rugby’s chief executive on a permanent basis, after serving in a temporary capacity for the past two months.
Australian broadcasters to bid next week for Rugby World Cup rights
World Rugby, the international governing body for rugby union, is in the midst of a media rights invitation to tender in Australia, one of its most lucrative markets, and will invite broadcasters to submit…
Japan’s Top League targets English stars, aims to be ‘world’s best’
Japanese rugby's Top League is targeting star players from England and other Northern Hemisphere nations to join its clubs, in ambitious plans to make the competition the best league in the world
MLR unveils The Rugby Network streaming service
Major League Rugby has partnered with global rugby union content platform RugbyPass to create the free streaming and digital content service The Rugby Network ahead of the 2021 season.
World Rugby announces overhaul of women’s international calendar with annual WXV competition
World Rugby has announced the launch of WXV, a new three-tier 15s competition that will see a full overhaul of the global women’s international calendar starting in 2023.
British & Irish Lions add Fuller’s London Pride as latest sponsor
The British & Irish Lions have signed up English beer brand Fuller’s London Pride as a sponsor.