World Cup, Irish Derby and Six Nations: Where the biggest money in Irish sport lies

From Six Nations rugby to racing’s Irish Derby, prize money is shaping the financial future of Irish sport

 Troy Parrott's heroics in Hungary have kept Ireland in with a shout of World Cup qualification worth €9m. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

In modern Irish sport, eyes are always on the prize. When Ireland face Italy in their Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash against Italy at a sold-out Aviva Stadium at 2.10pm, winning will be about a lot more than healing bruised pride.

The overall winning team in the Six Nations series will pick up around €7.5m for their international union, dropping down to €4m for finishing second, right down to €115,000 for the team taking the wooden spoon in sixth place.