Rugby in crisis as unions engage in 'unprecedented dialogue'

The U.S. has filed for bankruptcy. The Australians are facing a black hole of more than USD 70 million. English rugby leaders have drawn up worst-case scenarios of an even bigger financial hit.

The coronavirus pandemic has left rugby on its knees over the last two weeks, with the prospect of more pain to come because of the uncertainty over whether leagues, lucrative tours and international competitions can resume or go ahead.

The chief executive of England's Rugby Football Union, the world's richest union, said on Thursday there has been an unprecedented amount of dialogue between the sport's leading countries during the outbreak that has shut down rugby.

"The relationship between the north and the south has probably never been better, Bill Sweeney said.

Sweeney acknowledged that Australia might be in the weakest position of all the major unions.

After returning a net loss of more than $5.4 million for last year, the Australian Rugby Union could take a hit of more than 10 times that .