It has been a season when private equity has considered rugby union to be a vehicle for profit. “Private equity looks increasingly like an exploitative racket,” wrote one commentator. The clubs point to the demanding nature of a Lions tour on their players, but there has not been a word about the arduous schedule this summer, which includes four international matches. The interest of private equity firms has been heralded as a sign of rugby union’s strength but they sniff out weakness and ruthlessly exploit it. • This is an extract from our weekly rugby union email, the Breakdown.

Source: The Guardian May 30, 2019 09:00 UTC