Rugby row - Money is not everything

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) yesterday denounced Communications Minister Eamon Ryan’s proposals to ensure certain rugby games are on free-to-air television.

This was depicted as the greatest threat to rugby since the game went professional in 1995.

The move could lead to a €12 million reduction in the Irish body’s annual revenue, according to Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU. He described the minister’s plan as “absolutely cracked”.