Rugby needs its Premier League to step up and take control, Raine says June 9, 2026 Merchant bank Raine Group has warned that professional rugby is not big enough for “five or six leagues” and that it is “time for someone to put the hammer down” and become the sport’s equivalent to the Premier League. Rugby union has been going through a crisis of late, with different leagues using different structures [...]
Why investors will be keeping a close eye on rugby’s Nations Championship June 7, 2026 The Nations Championship begins in a month and it will be a stress test for investors looking at rugby, Neil Barlow says. International rugby tournaments have always been the sport’s biggest draws. There is nothing quite like the Six Nations to bring out classic memes of rugby fans wearing bootcut jeans and loafers filling pubs. [...]
McCall or Rowe: A Prem Rugby titan will bow out this weekend June 5, 2026 Morning Wire rugby columnist Ollie Phillips discusses the last weekend of Prem Rugby fixtures, and how a major giant of the game in Tony Rowe or Mark McCall will bow out come full time. Tony Rowe, Rob Baxter, Nigel Wray and Mark McCall: the four men who have, arguably, defined English club rugby over the [...]
Champ Rugby: Bedford vs Worcester shows strength of second tier May 29, 2026 This Sunday afternoon at Bedford Blues’ Goldington Road could be pandemonium. The home team take on Champ Rugby giants Worcester Warriors looking to be crowned winners of English rugby’s second tier. But what’s the point, when you cannot get promoted? Well it is the continued proof that the Champ is and can be competitive, where [...]
Bilbao, Amsterdam, Milan: Where should Champions Cup rugby go next? May 22, 2026 The best thing about the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals weekend is its location: Bilbao. It is not the first time the two premier continental fixtures have ventured to El Botxo – the San Mames Stadium hosted Leinster’s victory over Racing 92 in 2018 and Cardiff’s Challenge Cup win over Gloucester a [...]
Matchroom could move into booming rugby in a big way, says Hearn May 18, 2026 Eddie Hearn has tipped Matchroom to increase its presence in rugby union “in a big way” following the signing of England star Henry Pollock and a new wave of investment entering the club game. Hearn surprised the industry by recruiting Pollock to his new Matchroom Talent Agency in March – a first foray into rugby [...]
Sunday Times Rich List: Bath and Man United owners Dyson and Ratcliffe lose £10bn May 15, 2026 Manchester United and Bath Rugby investors Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir James Dyson have lost £10bn in the last year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Dyson, who earlier this year purchased 50 per cent of Prem Rugby club Bath, saw his and his family’s wealth fall £8.8bn, from £20.8bn to £12bn between 2025 [...]
England Red Roses are great for rugby, but are they bad for business? May 15, 2026 Should the dominant England rugby team beat France on Sunday in the final round of this year’s Women’s Six Nations they will notch up their 38th consecutive Test victory. It is an amazing feat by one of the most incredible sports teams in the world, but is it good for business? For England, yes. For [...]
King’s Speech: Red tape to be cut to help Britain host Euros and World Cup May 13, 2026 Hosting the Fifa World Cup, Olympics and Euros will become easier after the government promised to legislate to cut the red tape hindering major sports events. A new Sporting Events Bill will deliver a set framework which can be applied to major sporting events and is hoped to keep Britain an attractive – and reliable [...]
Exclusive: Ultimate Sevens franchise rugby project to announce Reebok deal May 12, 2026 The Ultimate Sevens franchise project will today announce Reebok as its title kit sponsor, Morning Wire can reveal. The project – dubbed by some as the R360 of the rugby sevens world – will launch on Thursday with teams and players confirmed in London. The long-term plan will see franchises sold off, similar to other [...]