England were disappointing on the pitch at the World Cup but off it the picture continues to be rosy with the RFU announcing record revenues of £207.9m for 2014-15.
“Revenues exceeded £200m for the first time thanks to the effect of the high number of Twickenham matches on ticket, broadcasting, hospitality and other match day revenues, non-match day conference and event revenues, renewed long-term sponsorship deals and the recognition of Rugby World Cup revenues to match costs incurred,” the Rugby Football Union said.
“Rugby investment increased 2% over the previous year to £76.8m, with investment in professional rugby broadly flat with 2013-14 but rugby development investment up by 5% (£1.5m) due to increased spending on game development and growth initiatives.
The RFU chief executive, Ian Ritchie, said: “This was a busy and financially successful year with a retained profit of £7.7m after making a record level of investment directly into clubs and in operating the English game at all levels.”