Big increase in RFU funding

A RECORD £99.6m was invested in English Rugby Union in the last year, the RFU have revealed.

The annual report shows an 11 per cent rise in the money put into the sport in 2016-17.

The RFU say the figures, which include an operating loss for the year of £6m, show the “commitment to invest all profits into rugby”. Year-on-year revenues were down as the 2015-16 results included revenues from the World Cup. The governing body added that their balance sheet “remains strong” with net assets of £215m.

RFU chief executive Steve Brown said they always expected this to be a “period of reinvigoration”.

He added: “Growth was achieved across the key revenue streams, and our overheads were nine per cent lower year-on-year.”

RFU investment in rugby development increased by £1.8m to £35.9m, while investment in the professional game rose by £8m to £63.7m.