Rugby

IRB announces £48m investment scheme - 13 May 08

The International Rugby Board has announced a £48 million investment programme aimed at raising standards of the sport's developing nations.

Japan to host IRB Junior World Championship - 12 May 08

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that Japan will host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009.

IRB unveils new RWC and EXCO Boards - 6 May 08

The International Rugby Board, owner of Rugby World Cup, announced the structure of the Board that will oversee the delivery of all Rugby World Cup tournaments over the next four years. This includes Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 and Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Rugby's Super 14 set for revamp - 29 Apr 08

The 2009 edition of Rugby’s Super 14 competition is likely to be the last to be played under the existing 13 match format.

IRB to announce hosts for RWC 2015 and 2019 - 23 Apr 08

The International Rugby Board are likely to announce the next two venues for the Rugby World Cup simultaneously, breaking with their normal practice of announcing them one at a time, in order to make it easier for ‘smaller’ rugby nations to host the event.

ARU looks for private investment - 17 Apr 08

The Australian Rugby Union is to consider private investment in its Super 14 franchises, the sport’s governing body has said.

IEC in Sports signs further ATP Events and 5 Nations Rugby - 16 Apr 08

IEC in Sports renewed its deals with three important ATP events: the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, Estoril Open in Portugal and the BA-CA Tennis Trophy in Vienna.

Maze stadium delays frustrate sports leaders - 28 Mar 08

Leaders of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish Football Association and Ulster Rugby have rejected an invitation to meet a Northern Irish government committee over the proposed Maze sports stadium.

Perform and Bigpond launch global Australian sports portal - 12 Mar 08

Perform and Telstra’s BigPond, Australia’s largest internet provider, agreed a deal to launch a global sports portal, Aussie Sport TV, broadcasting top Australian sports.

British & Irish Lions agree FirstCape sponsorship - 11 Mar 08

FirstCape agreed an official sponsorship of the British & Irish Lions and their tour to South Africa in 2009.

Emirates becomes partner for RWC sevens 2009 - 6 Mar 08

Rugby World Cup Limited appointed Emirates Airline as the Principal Partner for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.

IRB to consider Inter-Hemisphere Series - 4 Mar 08

The International Rugby Board has started to look into the feasibility of a biennial Inter-Hemisphere Series featuring the world’s top Test teams.

HSBC becomes official partner of the PRA - 26 Feb 08

HSBC agreed a deal become the Official Banking Partner of the Professional Rugby Players’ Association (PRA), the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby union players in England.

VERO Appointed by International Rugby Board - 21 Feb 08

Vero Communications was appointed by the International Rugby Board to advise the IRB on its strategy to grow the game’s popularity globally and get Rugby re-instated into the Olympic Games.

TV3 poised to win 2011 Rugby World Cup Rights - 19 Feb 08

New Zealand commercial broadcaster TV3 is set to secure the TV rights to the 2011 Rugby World Cup according to local press reports.

Calls for Australia's NRL to expand - 18 Feb 08

National Rugby League team Melbourne Storm’s chief executive Brian Waldron called on the NRL to put expansion on its immediate agenda.

Nike renews RFU sponsorship deal - 13 Feb 08

Nike renewed its contract with the Rugby Football Union to be the official team-wear provider for England Rugby in a four year deal, from September 2008 until the end of the 2011-12 season.

New South African TV deal hits NZ and Australia rugby unions - 12 Feb 08

New Zealand and Australia expressed disappointment at the South African Rugby Union’s decision to sell of some of its TV rights previously included in the Sanzar (South African/New Zealand/Australia) agreement.

Rugby League seeks new partner - 6 Feb 08

Beer brand 'XXXX' has opted not to renew its sponsorship of the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Super 14 Lions land sponsorship deal - 5 Feb 08

Insurer Auto & General agreed a three-year, R30 million naming rights sponsorship deal with South African rugby union side The Super 14 Lions.

Setanta renews with USA Rugby - 5 Feb 08

Setanta Sports and USA Rugby, the governing body for rugby union in the United States, have renewed their official partnership until 2009.

Six Nations coverage available on iPlayer - 1 Feb 08

The BBC's television coverage of the Six Nations will be available via the iPlayer from this weekend. 

Rugby and handball knock football off Euro Viewing perch - 31 Jan 08

Football was knocked off the top of the sports viewing charts in the majority of television markets across Europe in 2007, according to the annual survey by TV Sports Markets.

RTÉ wins Six Nations rights - 25 Jan 08

Irish public service broadcaster RTÉ has acquired the exclusive live rights to all RBS Six Nations Championships games on television, radio and online in a four-year deal from 2010 to 2013. 

HOK Sport ramps up design of New Zealand Rugby Stadia - 9 Jan 08

HOK Sport Architecture, moved ahead with the designs for the redevelopment of Auckland’s main rugby ground, Eden Park, and the new Dunedin Multi-Purpose Stadium, as New Zealand steps up its stadium construction programme for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

English Rugby Union set for salary cap increase - 4 Jan 08

The salary cap for England's top rugby union sides will be increased to £4 million from next season.

Argentina could reinvigorate Super 14 and Tri-Nations competitions - 3 Jan 08

The Australian Rugby Union said that Southern Hemisphere rugby’s flagship competitions, the Super 14 and Tri-Nations, could be reinvigorated in quality and financially by the introduction of Argentina.

French Rugby League tenders final rights - 3 Jan 08

French rugby’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) tendered the rights for the final of its Top 14 club competition.

HSBC appoints Fast Track to manage partnership with the British & Irish Lions - 6 Dec 07

HSBC appointed the Fast Track agency to manage the activation and delivery of rights for its recently announced partnership with the British & Irish Lions.

Expanded rugby World Club Challenge ruled out - 4 Dec 07

Plans for an expanded 16-team World Club Challenge have been dismissed by the Rugby Football League.

Rugby World 2011 to comprise 20 teams - 3 Dec 07

The Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament in New Zealand will comprise 20 teams, as in the last three tournaments.

NZRFU signs up Ogilvy - 30 Nov 07

The New Zealand Rugby Union agreed a deal with Ogilvy as its exclusive advertising agency.

USA Rugby signs official sponsor - 29 Nov 07

USA Rugby signed up First Sports International as the official sponsor of the women’s national team’s England Tour.

Super League wins new TV deals and plans expansion - 28 Nov 07

The Rugby Football League is set to expand the Super League from 12 to 14 clubs after extending its UK TV deals with BSkyB and the BBC.

Barclays signs Sky Sports rugby broadcast sponsorship - 22 Nov 07

Barclays Commercial Bank has inked a broadcast sponsorship deal with Sky Sports’ rugby union coverage for the 2007/08 season.

Wales lands first IRB Under 20 World Championship - 22 Nov 07

The Welsh Rugby Union will host the International Rugby Board's (IRB) first ever Under-20 World Championship in 2008.

Auks lose brewery sponsorship - 21 Nov 07

Auckland Rugby lost the sponsorship of brewery giant DB, ending a 21-year partnership.

HSBC to sponsor British Lions Tour - 19 Nov 07

Tomorrow’s official announcement of a new main sponsor for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa 2009 will reveal HSBC as the leading partner, according to UK news sources.

Rugby clubs agree compromise deal with RFU - 16 Nov 07

The English Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby agreed a new deal which it is hoped will put an end to club-v-country rows.

Leeds Rhinos strike record kit deal - 9 Nov 07

The Leeds Rhinos rugby league club have signed a record five year sponsorship deal with Australian apparel manufacturer ISC.

The RFU reappoints CPS as rights agency - 8 Nov 07

The Rugby Football Union reappointed Copyright Promotions Sport as its exclusive worldwide rights agency, responsible for developing the RFU brand through commercial partnerships.

Italy to play Six Nations at Stadio Flaminio - 2 Nov 07

Italy will play next year's home Six Nations matches at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome, despite fears that reconstruction work has fallen behind schedule.

Wood appointed as RFL CEO - 25 Oct 07

Nigel Wood has been promoted from COO to CEO of the English Rugby Football League (RFL) to take full management responsibility of the RFL executive.

Bernard Lapasset Elected IRB Chairman - 22 Oct 07

Bernard Lapasset has been elected as Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport’s world governing body. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) President succeeds Dr Syd Millar, who did not seek re-election.

Sky wins Rugby League World Cup rights - 15 Oct 07

Sky Sports has struck new deals to show the final qualifiers for the Rugby League World Cup and the whole of next year's tournament.

Funding crisis hits Eden Park redevelopment - 15 Oct 07

New Zealand rugby faces another crisis after Auckland's new mayor John Banks said he would not honour the previous encumbent's undertaking to pay $30 million towards the $190 million redevelopment of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Record audience for England rugby semi-final - 15 Oct 07

More than 12 million viewers in Britain – 51 per cent of the television audience - tuned in to watch England beat France in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on ITV1.

BBC renews Six Nations agreement - 11 Oct 07

The BBC has renewed its deal to broadcast rugby union‘s Six Nations championships up to and including 2013.

French broadcaster rakes in RWC bonus - 9 Oct 07

French broadcast group TF1 will make a profit on its €50 million outlay on the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

France Télévisions snaps up rugby rights - 3 Oct 07

French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions acquired the rights for rugby union’s Six Nations tournament for the period from 2010 to 2013.

Rugby World Cup goes wireless for Verizon - 7 Sep 07

Setanta Sports North America has teamed up with Verizon Wireless to offer Rugby World Cup video clip footage to V Cast Video customers.

Rangers tycoon in £2.7 million rugby union sponsorship - 5 Sep 07

Sir David Murray, the chairman of Rangers FC is to invest almost £1 million a year over the next three years into the Scottish rugby union.

Fast Web Media designs RFU micro site - 31 Aug 07

Fast Web Media has been appointed by England rugby’s governing body the RFU to design and create a micro site for England supporters ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

NEWS GROUPS FIGHT RWC ACCREDITATION RULES - 29 Aug 07

News groups have contested the International Rugby Board’s press accreditation rules for the Rugby World Cup, which include limits on still images being published on websites.

Auckland venue to get nod for 2011 final - 24 Aug 07

New Zealand rugby chiefs have confirmed the final and semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup are set to be staged at Auckland’s Eden Park.

ESPN SNAPS UP RUGBY SITE SCRUM.COM - 22 Aug 07

Rugby website Scrum.com has become the latest acquisition by ESPN as it looks to push outside its North American boundaries.

HEINEKEN TO SPONSOR RUGBY REUNION SHOW - 20 Aug 07

Heineken is to sponsor a celebration of Rugby World Cup history to be screened on ITV 1 to launch the broadcaster’s live coverage of Rugby World Cup 2007.

VIAGOGO AGREES NEW FUNDING AND ENTERS US MARKET - 8 Aug 07

Secondary ticketing company viagogo launched in the US market with a deal with the Cleveland Browns NFL team and secured $30 million in a Series C round of funding from existing investors.

MORE GROUPS JOIN PREMIER LEAGUE’S YOUTUBE BATTLE - 7 Aug 07

Additional sports right holders joined the Premier League’s class action lawsuit against YouTube and Google including the Rugby Football League; the Finnish Football League Association and boxing companies Knockout Entertainment Limited and Seminole Warriors Boxing.

SETANTA SCORES BIGGER DISTRIBUTION IN THE US - 2 Aug 07

Irish broadcast group Setanta signed a deal with EchoStar Communications Dish Network in the US to carry its 24-hour digital sports channel.

IRB SEVENS WORLD SERIES SET FOR RECORD BREAKING YEAR - 2 Aug 07

The International Rugby Board announced the schedule for the world’s leading Rugby Sevens Tournament series, the IRB Sevens World Series. The series will comprise eight Tournament locations kicking off in Dubai in late November and climaxing in Scotland in late May 2008.

RUGBY WORLD CUP PLUS GOES LIVE WITH VIDEO ON DEMAND SERVICE - 1 Aug 07

Online broadcaster MediaZone and the Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) launched RWC Plus, the official and exclusive broadband video On Demand service for Rugby World Cup 2007.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS SPONSORS HARLEQUINS - 31 Jul 07

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a three-year deal to be the main sponsor of Harlequins rugby club.

AUSTRALIA’S SEVEN NETWORK LOSES LAWSUIT - 27 Jul 07

Kerry Stokes's Seven Network Ltd. lost a lawsuit alleging Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. and others colluded to win TV rights for the Australian Football League, forcing the closure of his C7 sports channel.

RFU AGREES SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH ONLINE BETTING EXCHANGE - 24 Jul 07

The English Rugby Football Union agreed a sponsorship deal with online betting exchange, Betfair.

AUCKLAND TO HOST 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL - 24 Jul 07

Aukland’s Eden Park stadium is set to be redeveloped and will host the 2011 World Cup final.

TWO MILLION TICKETS SOLD FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 - 23 Jul 07

With less than 50 days to go before the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2007 the France 2007 Organising Committee has announced that the two millionth ticket has been sold. The Committee’s objective of a minimum 85 per cent ticket sales target is therefore well on the way to being achieved.

SETANTA SPORTS TO DELIVER RWC ONLINE - 17 Jul 07

Setanta SportsNorth America will be the exclusive live online broadcaster of the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup.

SANZAR RUGBY UNIONS FEEL WRATH OF BROADCAST PARTNERS - 13 Jul 07

According to reports the SANZAR rugby unions have been warned by their national broadcast partners that a repeat of this season’s selection policy – in which under-strength sides were fielded - would not be tolerated.

GOVERNING BODIES SAY THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE ON EU WHITE PAPER - 12 Jul 07

The International Olympic Committee and FIFA published a joint statement, later echoed by the International Rugby Board, acknowledging the publication of the EU White Paper on Sport. While welcoming the concept of the paper they stressed that they feel the content of the final version represents a missed opportunity. Other European sporting federations including UEFA, FIBA Europe, and the European Handball Federation all also publicly expressed concerns with the White Paper.

RFL RE-APPOINTS IMG MEDIA - 12 Jul 07

The RFL, the governing body of Rugby League, extended its existing contract with IMG Media, its exclusive worldwide media agency. The deal covers all media rights including TV, radio, DVD, IN-flight, ship-at-sea and new media.

RUGBY IN DANGER OF LOSING SPONSORSHIP - 11 Jul 07

The Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill warned that sponsorship deals and other income steams could be at risk if Test matches are not treated seriously by participating teams.

HONG KONG MARKETER INVESTS IN SA RUGBY CLUB - 6 Jul 07

Hong Kong-based sports marketing company ActionHouse International has become a major shareholder of Valke Rugby, the professional South African Rugby Club who were Champions of the
Vodacom Cup in 2006.

IMG MEDIA WINS RIGHTS FOR 2008 RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP - 27 Jun 07

The Rugby League International Federation appointed IMG Media to act as exclusive sales agents for the international TV rights to the Rugby League World Cup, 2008.

RWC 2011 PUTS HOSPITALITY AND TRAVEL OUT TO TENDER - 19 Jun 07

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), owner of the commercial rights associated with Rugby World Cup 2011, is seeking tenders from organisations to operate the official hospitality and travel package programmes for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

WESTERN PROVINCE CONSIDERS NEW STADIUM - 19 Jun 07

South Africa’s Western Province Rugby Union is looking to move rugby out of its traditional home at Newlands to Cape Town’s new Green Point Stadium after
the 2010 World Cup.

NORTHERN ROCK RENEWS FALCONS SPONSORSHIP - 14 Jun 07

Northern Rock has extended its shirt sponsorship deal with English Premiership rugby union club, Newcastle Falcons, making the partnership the longest unbroken main sponsorship in the league’s history.

RFL DECLARES 2006 PROFIT - 8 Jun 07

The Rugby Football League declared an annual profit for the fifth consecutive year.

DUBAI SPORTS CITY UNVEILS INTERNATIONAL EVENTS STRATEGY - 6 Jun 07

Dubai Sports City unveiled its strategy to bring a share of the global sports business market to the UAE.

210,000 ADDITIONAL TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 - 1 Jun 07

The Organising Committee of Rugby World Cup 2007 in France released over 210,000 additional tickets for sale online to the general public.

IRB GEARS UP FOR RECORD WORLD CUP REVENUE - 22 May 07

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced strong year-end financial results for 2006 driven by record revenues in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2007.

GREEN LIGHT FOR HEINEKEN CUP - 21 May 07

The Heineken Cup will go ahead next season with a full compliment of English and French teams thanks to a settlement reached between European rugby’s key stakeholders.

100,000 EXTRA TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR RWC 2007 - 17 May 07

The Organising Committee of Rugby World Cup 2007 in France released over 100,000 additional tickets for general sale to the public.

SARECENS AND MAN GROUP EXTEND DEAL - 15 May 07

Saracens and Man Group plc agreed a deal for Man Group to continue as the main club sponsor for a further three years.

CHANGES FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011 QUALIFYING STRUCTURE - 11 May 07

The qualifying structure for future Rugby World Cups is to be changed to better reflect the modern Game and to increase the profile of one of the world’s largest sporting events.

SETANTA IN US RUGBY PARTNERSHIP - 9 May 07

Setanta Sports, the international sports broadcaster, has become an official sponsor of US Eagles - the US Men's National Rugby Team - and an official presenting sponsor of USA Rugby.

DEAL SET TO SAVE HEINEKEN CUP - 8 May 07

Rugby union chiefs are expected to announce an end to the bitter row which had threatened the future of next season’s Heineken Cup competition.

DUBAI TO HOST IRB RUGBY 2009 WORLD CUP SEVENS - 4 May 07

The IRB Council awarded the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 to the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union. The Tournament, which will be the first to incorporate a women’s competition, will be played in Dubai in February 2009.

IRB BOARD TO DECIDE ON SEVENS - 1 May 07

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is this week expected to choose the host country for the 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.

NATION IN WORLD CUP BOYCOTT THREAT - 1 May 07

The organisers of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia next year have been given a potential headache after Papua New Guinea threatened to pull-out.

RFU COUNCIL MOVES TO TRY AND SAVE HEINEKEN CUP - 27 Apr 07

The Rugby Football Union Council will vote today on a resolution which could secure the future of the Heineken Cup.

FRENCH AND ENGLISH RUGBY CLUBS FORM ALLIANCE - 20 Apr 07

French rugby’s national league (LNR) and England’s Premier Rugby formed an official alliance during a meeting yesterday. Both have pulled out of rugby’s premier European competition, the Heineken Cup next season.

TELSTRA LOSES ROUND ONE IN NRL RIGHTS ROW - 19 Apr 07

Australian telecoms company Telstra lost round one of its legal battle to prevent pay-broadcaster Fox Sports from screening rugby league rights on mobile phones and the internet.

FEDERAL COURT DENIES TELSTRA DAMAGES CLAIM - 17 Apr 07

In a landmark media case over rugby league media rights, an Australian Federal Court ruled that telecoms company Telstra cannot claim substantial damages from the pay-TV operator it claims is breaching its copyright.

VIAGOGO AND LASTMINUTE.COM LAUNCH CO-BRANDED TICKET EXCHANGE - 16 Apr 07

Secondary ticketing company viagogo launched a partnership with lastminute.com, to launch a ticket exchange.

IRB TO JOIN FURTHER HEINEKEN CUP TALKS - 13 Apr 07

The International Ruby Board is set attempt to mediate in the dispute between European Rugby Cup and the top English and French clubs over next season’s Heineken Cup.

RUGBY CHIEFS TO DEBATE HEINEKEN CUP FUTURE - 11 Apr 07

European rugby chiefs will meet today to try to rescue next season’s Heineken Cup competition.

TELSTRA SET TO SUE PARTNERS OVER DIGITAL RIGHTS - 4 Apr 07

Australian telecoms company Telstra is to sue Fox Sports in a battle over rugby league media rights.

ENGLISH RUGBY CLUBS BACK EUROPEAN BOYCOTT - 3 Apr 07

English ruby union’s top clubs voted not to compete in next season's Heineken Cup if their French counterparts boycott the competition.

RUSSIA BIDS FOR WORLD CUP SEVENS 2009 - 3 Apr 07

The Rugby Union of Russia announced its bid to host the 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.