The English Rugby Football Union have announced an annual loss of £6.3 million (€7.9 million for the year to June 2012.
The figure is attributed to this covering a Rugby World Cup year which limits the income which may be derived from hosting the Autumn International series of matches that are currently under way.
Despite operating on the same timetable, the Irish RFU produced a surplus of €7.8 million over the same period and the Welsh RFU also produced record turnover of €79 million.
The RFU report goes to great lengths to assure members that this is part of a forecast four year cycle and that there is no lessening of the money available for development of the sport.
“2012-13 is already promising record turnover, contribution and investment into the sport,” said RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie.
“We maintain a strong asset base and very secure revenue streams.”
These will be needed as England prepares to host the next Rugby World Cup in 2015 but news of the loss will add heat to the simmering resentment of Irish and other Celtic clubs recent dominance of the playing and financial rewards in elite club rugby as part of the Heineken and Amlin Cups.
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