A few years passed and once again the Celts threatened to remove England from the competition but again the RFU were reinstated.
What was all the fuss about? I’ll bet you can guess; money.
For the first time England had undertaken their own television rights negotiation and had agreed a deal with BSkyB. This deal was markedly bigger than any previous deal done between the Unions and their historic chosen partner, the BBC.
The deal offered was similar to a deal struck in the southern hemisphere at the time and was a game changer in the rugby world.
However, by doing the deal, the RFU broke from the usual collective bargaining conducted by the Five Nations committee and then felt the wrath of the angry Celtic nations.
This was not an unprecedented act by the RFU as the French had their own deal virtually from the day they first joined the competition.
It also wasn’t that Sky had exclusively offered the RFU a deal, they had in fact offered all nations far better deals than were on the table from any other television network.
The problem was simply that Sky offered money based on the potential size of an audience which effectively gave England a bigger piece of the proverbial pie.
Despite the fact that the RFU is the biggest union in the world with more clubs to fund and players to manage, the smaller Celtic nations were having none of it and insisted that all money should be split evenly.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 21, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 21, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
YOUNG GUNS
SEANKERR HARLEQUINS & ENGLAND U20 CENTRE
PGP deal is nothing but a waste of time
I CAN’T help thinking that the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) is nothing but a waste of time as I can’t see how it is going to make any difference to how the game operates or how it will actually help clubs keep players and reduce the financial strain they are under.
Tries galore as Jake leads the Crusaders title party
WITH Dings stalwarts Charlie Taylor and Jake Holcombe reaching the milestones of 250 and 200 appearances respectively, the massive win over Camborne was a fitting end to the season.
It's title delight for the Titans!
ROTHERHAM Titans are the champions!
Lions survive as Patrick heroics seal late glory
THE final throws of the 2023-24 season saw Sale take on Leicester Lions at Heywood Road, with the visitors looking for a victory to ensure their survival.
35 years on and Tim's charity still full of hope
IF YOU believe rugby is the ultimate team sport – which I still do – it is tempting to superimpose all its many fine qualities into other team environments.
'Ireland in blue' will provide stiffest test
PHIL Dowson and Leo Cullen first crossed paths in European action 10 seasons ago when Northampton did something they had never done before nor since: beating Leinster in Dublin.
Cardiff left in a mess by lively Edinburgh
CARDIFF’S last appearance at the Arms Park this season ended miserably as Edinburgh picked up a valuable four points in their quest for an end of season playoff spot.
RED ROSES
MADDIE FEAUNATI EXETER CHIEFS BACK ROW
Sharks look to have edge in Diamond derby
SALE boss Alex Sanderson has thanked Steve Diamond, his opposite number at Newcastle, for giving him extra motivation to win what has been dubbed ‘the Diamond derby’.