RFU funding cut adds to Premier 15s chaos

The Rugby Football Union has been forced to admit it is cutting funding for the 10 Premier 15s teams by 25 percent.

The reduction from £75,000 to £56,250 per side will put further financial pressure on clubs as they prepare for a new season which is still due to start in early October despite the fact fixtures are yet to be announced.

It was understood schedule details for the new campaign would be published by the end of September but they failed to materialise.

The RFU told The Daily Telegraph: "The women's game and Premier 15s remain key priorities for England Rugby [but] as a result of Covid-19, we are expecting revenue losses ranging between £122m and £138m for this financial year and 20% reductions over the next four to five years.

"We understand the challenges across the game and will be working hard and collaboratively with all stakeholders to overcome these."

The funding cuts do not apply to the England team who are preparing for the final match of the Six Nations against Italy as well as a double header against France in November.