IRFU open to idea of British and Irish league

Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, revealed that the idea of merging the URC and English Premiership teams into one strand was one of a number being discussed.

BRITISH AND IRISH LEAGUE: Irish Rugby AGM Media Briefing with CEO Kevin Potts. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Fri, 24 Nov, 2023 - 18:00

Brendan O'Brien

The shifting landscape that is professional rugby shows few signs of settling just yet and the IRFU has confirmed that they remain open to the possibility of a British and Irish League in the years to come.

Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, revealed that the idea of merging the URC and English Premiership teams into one strand was one of a number being discussed prior to the end of the World Cup and his IRFU counterpart Kevin Potts is keeping an open mind.

“On the club game, we as administrators are always looking at ways to make our tournaments more valuable. You are asking about the potential of a British and Irish scenario, yeah, that’s something we are open to looking at.

“We are looking at these things at the moment because the game needs to generate more money. Us as unions and CEOs, I guess it is driving us to be more collaborative and more innovative which we need to be to get more money into the game.

“It can’t sustain itself without increasing revenues.”