IRFU welcomes 'critical' Covid-support funding of €18m

The allocation comes nine days after the IRFU reported a record deficit of €35.7m

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: “This support is vital if Irish Rugby is to survive until a time where we can once again welcome our supporters, in meaningful numbers, back to the Aviva Stadium and our provincial grounds." Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The IRFU has welcomed an €18m allocation of Government funding it says is “critical” to keep rugby activities going at all levels in Ireland during the financial crisis caused by Covid-19.

Rugby’s governing body on the island of Ireland issued its thanks to the Irish Government, Ministers Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers, and Sport Ireland after confirmation that €18m would be allocated to the sport from the Government’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund for Sport.