RFU Sees Rise In Profits

The Rugby Football Union has seen a rise in profits, which was helped by an increase in Test matches at Twickenham.

It had been previously released that the England sports governing body experienced poor financial results for the year to June 2009, due to corporate sales being badly hit.

But seven Tests at Twickenham in that period, compared to five in the previous 12 months, have helped turn a £500,000 loss into £9m pre-tax profits.

The RFU said the recession had led to fewer corporate sales at Twickenham (especially for the 2009 Six Nations, during which it dropped 40% on a match-by-match basis), but ‘prudent action’ to save money has helped the governing body sustain the loss, according to media reports.

The RFU also reported that turnover rose 20% to £119m and its net worth was up 6% to £151m during the 12 months.

 New conference facilities and a new hotel and health club will also help to heal the corporate losses over the next year, according to Chief executive Francis Baron.