Big spenders

England are to have unprecedented financial support in their efforts to win the 2019 World Cup. The Rugby Football Union has told Eddie Jones, the head coach, it will spend what it takes to ensure his campaign is successful. A record war chest of more than £120 million

(NZ$233.5m) is to be invested in the professional game over the next two years and the RFU has given the green light to the "detailed and comprehensive plans" of Jones for the build-up to the tournament in Japan. Expenditure on professional rugby in England soared last year by over 50 per cent to a record

£63.7 million ($124 million). Investment going into the 2015 World Cup was £44.3 million

($86.2 million).