Six Nations investment softens blow as SRU reveal sizeable deficit

The Scottish Rugby Union has reported an annual operating deficit of £5.3million but a major investment in the Six Nations saw it post an overall surplus of close to £30m.

Revenue for the 2021-22 season was up £5.5m on the previous year to £57.9m, which was within five per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

A statement from the governing body read: “The audited accounts display a deficit of £5.3m on the base business, the key drivers of the deficit being increased utility costs and the financial costs of increased health and safeguarding measures during the pandemic.

“We also welcomed strategic investment from private equity partners into 6 Nations, which drove a gain on disposal of investment of £34.2m, bringing our net surplus after tax to £29m for the year.”

The union invested £8.1m in the grassroots game.

Chief executive Mark Dodson claimed the financial statement “paints a positive picture of recovery” and shows the support given to the game during difficult times.

“These accounts show how well Scottish Rugby has withstood the difficulties of Covid-19, which affected every sports organisation and indeed wider business the world over,” he added.

“We would like to again thank our people, partners, sponsors and the Scottish Government for their support during that unprecedented period.

“There are challenges that still lie ahead for us to make a complete recovery. We will be working hard to achieve this.”

Dodson himself is understood to have been paid £570,000 in 2021, down from £933,000 in 2019.