ERC reports €2m drop in revenues

THE European Rugby Cup (ERC) — the company in charge of Rugby’s Heineken European Cup — has reported a €2 million drop in revenue, according to reported accounts.

The Dublin-based organisation distributed €17.5 million to the Irish, English, Welsh, Scottish, French and Italian rugby unions last year, a drop of over €2m on the previous year. Restricted stadium capacity during the competition’s latter stages last season was blamed.

A capacity Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for this year’s final between Munster and Biarritz, later this month and next year’s final at the expanded Twickenham are expected to revitalise revenues over the next year.