RFU announce huge revenue shortfall

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced that revenue for the 2020/21 financial year stood at £120million less than forecasts before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The RFU’s reported revenue is £97m – compared to £167m in 2019/20 – and there is an underlying loss to reserves of £21.3m, which is £30m worse than pre-Covid forecasts.

The governing body secured financial stability by implementing cost cutting measures including 119 redundancies, a debenture donation programme and emergency financial schemes made available by the UK Government.

Support from the coronavirus job retention scheme totalled £2.3m and £2.25m was received from the business rates relief scheme.

Professional rugby investment in the year was £40.3m compared to £66.4m in the prior year.

Challenging year

RFU chief executive officer Bill Sweeney said: “This 150th year of the RFU has been an immensely challenging one for the union and our sport.

“We have worked harder than ever before to support the professional and community game though the pandemic, with a clearly focused strategic plan to ensure we deliver real benefit and support to the game.

“As we emerge out of Covid, the RFU will continue to take a leadership role in reshaping and improving the game for the benefit of all involved.”

Manu Tuilagi out for at least six weeks with hamstring injury

Meanwhile, centre Manu Tuilagi will miss at least the next six weeks after suffering a hamstring issue while playing for England at the weekend.

Tuilagi opened the scoring in his country’s 27-26 victory over South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series, but was injured in the process of touching down.

The Sale Sharks back sustained a grade three tear and will be sidelined for over a month but it may well be longer should he require surgery.

It is a blow for the 30-year-old, who was getting back to his best after suffering a number of injury issues throughout his career.