THE LAST WORD

THE elite English clubs have their eyes on a bounty but must proceed with caution. The 12 Premiership sides and full shareholders London Irish are weighing up an offer of £275million for a 51 per cent stake in the league. But let’s be clear, the private equity firm seeking to invest are on the hunt for a financial windfall. We are told they will ‘cherish’ the game but all they will really cherish is the chance to make a vast profit. Such a deal would help clear debts and provide funds for infrastructure spending but it would lead to commercial gain being put above anything else. So fans should be on guard for more anti-social kick-off times and matches taken to new markets abroad. This is nirvana with strings attached.