WORLD CUP TO SHUN PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS

rUGBy World Cup bosses say they will not use private equity investment to bolster the game’s biggest tournament, after the locations for the men’s and women’s World Cups up until 2033 were confirmed earlier this week. Private equity has been a growing force in rugby, with CVC Capital Partners now owning a 14 per cent stake in the Six nations. CVC also own shares in the Premiership and the UrC, while rivals Silver Lake are a growing force in the southern hemisphere. World rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said he had considered private equity but added: ‘We have looked hard at that in the last 12 to 18 months. We can achieve the type of ambition we are talking about without that. ‘do we want to see more investment in

the sport? yes. If some is coming from private investment that is fine as long as the sport is benefitting.’