IRFU: Free-to-air proposals 'a threat to rugby'

The IRFU have described Communications Minister Eamon Ryan's proposal to ensure that future Six Nations and Heineken Cup matches can be watched on free-to-air television as "seriously misguided" and "the greatest threat to the sport of rugby in Ireland since it went professional in 1995".

In a statement this morning the Irish rugby authorities as well as the Six Nations and ERC hit out at the proposals saying it would result in the IRFU losing 18% (€12m) of its annual income.