For now nothing has filtered on its intentionsIn fact the studied technologies field is extensiveDrizzle marks the Windows of ash grey spotsIn national accounts nothing of the sortIn renewable energy it is the excitementThe FrancoGerman antagonism An old quarrelInstead it returned in enlargement backwards85 of capital and the third of BHP Billiton Plc with 3that of deal maker against the strategistThis does not prevent him to tighten the boltsForgotten sports taunts of the rugby World Cup. The France XV resumed service Sunday in Edinburgh with Scotland for the account of the first day of the 6 Nations tournament. In view of the enthusiasm generated by the world which will yield about EUR 135 million to the International Rugby Board (IRB) and while the two competitions of the France Championship, the Top 14 and Pro D2 (still during the tournament), fill the stages, the 2008 Edition should still fight records. "We exceeded the million spectators last year with the expansion of Twickenham to 82.000 places and Irish games played at Croke Park (82.000 seats also).". The modernization of the old Stadio Flaminio in Rome to 26,000 tickets we should win a thousand spectators this season. "And the day where the Squadra Azurra decide to play at the Olympic Stadium, which contains also 82.000 places, then fight new records," explains Jacques Laurens, re-elected Chairman of the Committee of the 6 Nations for an acting which will culminate next April. Revenues increase since the Committee's budget will increase annually from 62 to 95 million euros, i.e. an increase of 53, for the period 2009-2013.
The reason "A sharp increase of TV rights." "The contract with France Televisions doubled, signed with the BBC has increased by 40, contract with RTE was multiplied by two and a half", reveals the head. Negotiations are underway with the 7 in Italy, but this should attend a rise, "the hearings have exceeded 1 million viewers in this country where football is King", noted Jacques Laurens. This passion for rugby was found in the presentation of the competition, the week last in London, where not less than 20 television channels were present including CNN. Note that the international rights to the tournament marketed by marketing agency Sportfive exceed the 10 million. "Hopefully much more", admits the Chairman of the Committee. Concerning the contract of sponsorship signed with the Royal Bank Scotland of an amount of more than 9 million Bank, it should be revised upward, the negotiations starting. Laurens President insists on the fact that this partnership is "unique", insofar as the Committee does not want to deprive the 6 federations of their sponsoring (Group, Société Générale, EDF, Renault... for the FFR), just as it leaves the other ticketing and public relations revenues which may be significant to Twickenham (of the order of 9 million). Some federations have great need such as Scotland posted the year past abyssal 33.6 million debt born in part of the reconstruction of Murrayfield Stadium in 1994. "The Committee of the 6 Nations does not benefit, said its President." At the headquarters in Dublin, we have 7 people and our operation is 2 to 3 of the expenditure. "Everything is divided among the six nations since 2004. Namely: 75 of the total amount apportioned equally between the federations; 10 given by the number of clubs in each country; and 15 depending on the classification of the previous season. The team made the Grand Slam with a bonus in these 15.
To change the tournament
Rest as on the popular success of the last world, the IRB officials focused on the evolution of international competitions. "We gathered late November in Woking, in the London suburbs, to see how fill imbalance economic between the northern hemisphere and the South, what is the place reserved for the Argentina, how can move the tournament," reveals Jacques Laurens. The Argentine record was indeed at the centre of discussions where this Federation had applied for membership in the tournament, most of its major players in Europe. "The Argentina must first resolve its problems of professionalization to keep its players, says the head. "Then, it may be allowed not in the VI Nations tournament, but rather in Ovi, a competition that brings together in July and August the three countries rugbystiques, in the southern hemisphere (South Africa, Australia, New Zealand) to which relates geographically Pumas". In the meantime, the IRB leaders want that for the period 2008-2012, during these two months, the Argentina can meet in turn the three teams in "friendly", "history in the large bath." For the time being, therefore, the 6 Nations tournament remains frozen. But it might evolve in the future still unclear in opening to countries which compete for the B tournament, organized by the International Federation of rugby amateur (Fira) which brings together six countries: Spain, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia. "Some of its nations have shone during the world." Why not consider a form of mounting the first tournament B and descent of the last of the 6 Nations on the model of the France Championship for example "Can legitimately wonder", says Jacques Laurens. Such a system would lead certainly a bit of "spicy" in a competition routine. Our neighbours, if conservative, to revel will they be able to accept this small revolution Tough task ahead for the new President of the IRB, French Bernard Lapasset.
