RFU need grasroots rescue package

So, as expected, Bill Beaumont has achieved his second term as the head of World Rugby and is promising to raise the stakes by making another attempt to refloat the idea of a Nations League, although not just yet.

- JEFF PROBYN

As usual, there were reports of a split between the north and south, but I am sure that secretly all are pleased Bill won.

Agustin Pichot’s intention of dividing the money more evenly with the Tier Two nations getting a bigger slice of the cash cake would have rung alarm bells down south, (even though they all voted for him) where Australia and New Zealand are having financial problems.

Not that they are alone, with every country in lockdown and no games to boost the coffers and no sign of a return of any sporting fixtures in the near future.

The difficultly is that even though all are desperate to raise as much money as they can when the game restarts, there needs to be a balance between club and country.

All the talk of a global season and a Nations League seems to be a way of increasing the number of international matches in a season and there is no doubt it’s the international games that will raise the much-needed revenue.

However, with players contracted to clubs and negotiations about to start for the second part of the eight-year release deal signed in 2016, any increase in the number of internationals, even in the short term, is likely to come at a hefty price for the RFU.

If I am right, PRL will not want to miss the opportunity to put in place a new deal while the union is vulnerable and desperately needs to ensure continued access to players.