Rugby chiefs aim to be the nation’s top sport

The Rugby Football Union wants its sport to be “the strongest in England” and for the nation to lead the way globally in its £443million strategy for the game. The governing body also stated its target of winning the men’s World Cup in Japan in 2019 and the women’s World Cup two years later. Of the RFU’S investment – a 30 per cent increase on its last four-year strategic plan – £253million is designated for the professional game and

£190 million assigned to all other areas such as artificial pitches, facilities and infrastructure. Sport pages 2-3