RFU criticised for lack of consultation over bonus row engulfing Sweeney February 13, 2025 An independent review of the bonus controversy engulfing the Rugby Football Union and its chief executive Bill Sweeney has criticised a lack of consultation with the RFU Council. The review, conducted by law firm Freshfields, backed the RFU’s design and implementation of its long-term incentive plan (LTIP), which saw Sweeney receive a £358,000 bonus last [...]
Row erupts over bid to resurrect London Irish February 12, 2025 London Irish administrators and former frontrunner Daniel Loitz are at loggerheads over the breakdown of the German’s proposed deal to buy the stricken rugby club. Sources close to the deal claim that Loitz had months – including an exclusivity period – in which to finalise a purchase with the ReSolve Group, which was appointed when [...]
Eddie Jones: I want to become an IPL coach February 12, 2025 Former England rugby coach Eddie Jones has revealed he wants to move into cricket’s Indian Premier League, insisting he could “100 per cent” win the IPL. Jones is England’s most successful coach by win percentage, took the team to the 2019 World Cup final in Japan before being sacked and replaced by incumbent Steve Borthwick, [...]
Ahead of the Game: Six Nations TV rights tender hit by delay February 12, 2025 The Six Nations TV tender has been put on hold due to delays in finalising the format of the new global Nations Championship, which will launch next year. The 12-team tournament will definitely take place, with each nation playing three games in each hemisphere followed by play-offs in London, but the Six Nations and Sanzaar [...]
Ratcliffe and Ineos bite back after being sued by New Zealand Rugby February 11, 2025 Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos has blamed the “deindustrialisation of Europe” after the Manchester United co-owner was sued by New Zealand Rugby over its latest cost-cutting measure. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) went public with the dispute on Monday, claiming that Ineos had breached its sponsorship agreement by failing to pay an instalment of the £27m, six-year [...]
DCMS issue insolvency threat to rugby clubs over Covid-19 loans February 10, 2025 Rugby clubs have been warned after the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it “wouldn’t hesitate” to use “all financial levers” available to recover loan payments owed by sports organisations from the pandemic. Those powers could see the government department aid in forcing insolvency on sports clubs to ensure the taxpayer recoups the [...]
Investec Champions Cup Barometer: Fin Smith lays down marker February 10, 2025 In the lead up to the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup round of 16, City A.M. has put together a barometer in partnership with Investec to assess which teams are hot – and which are not – ahead of April’s knockouts. Player of the week: Fin Smith, Northampton Saints Being good enough to force Marcus Smith [...]
Wales beyond embarrassment, they need to show Six Nations fight February 7, 2025 I couldn’t concur more with former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar when he said their Six Nations clash with Italy this weekend is the team’s biggest game in the last 20 years. On paper this match should be a walk in the park for Wales; the last time they lost to Italy on the continent was [...]
Rugby head injury trial could be delayed until 2027 after court spat February 6, 2025 A high-profile trial against rugby’s governing bodies brought by former players who suffered head injuries may not take place until 2027 after key legal voices sparred in the High Court. Delays caused by holding further case management conferences (CMC), which deal with any pre-trial admin such as available days and application requests, will likely push [...]
Investec Champions Cup Barometer: Daring Dupont dismisses doubters February 3, 2025 In the lead up to the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup round of 16, City A.M. has put together a barometer in partnership with Investec to assess which teams are hot – and which are not – ahead of April’s knockouts. Player of the week: Antoine Dupont, Toulouse The Six Nations got underway on Friday night [...]