Former England wing Austin Healey has urged the UK Government to write off the debts owed by Premiership sides due to their importance in their communities.
Several clubs are in the midst of financial struggles following the pandemic and, with the season set to launch on Friday, there is uncertainty over their futures.
Worcester Warriors‘ problems are well documented ahead of their clash with London Irish on Saturday, with two games scheduled to take place on Friday.
The Sixways team reportedly owe in excess of £25million, while fellow Premiership side Wasps head a group of additional clubs who occupy precarious positions.
Covid really hit it
And former Leicester Tigers, England and British & Irish Lions back Healey believes the Government needs to step in to help the sport ride this current storm.
“Yes, off the field clubs have got financial difficulties, but you look around the country because of the pandemic, most businesses are in exactly the same place,” said Healey.
“Stock markets are off, credit markets are screwed, you can’t get debt anywhere – and there’s a lot of debt everywhere – but all that is a by-product of two years of Covid.
“Rugby was already a finely balanced industry and an immature industry before Covid – it already had a lot of debt – and Covid really hit it.
“It will bounce back. It’s got some great owners, some brilliant clubs, wonderful fans, and it just needs to steady the ship and see its way through – probably with some help from the Government to be honest.
“The clubs have had debt provided by the Government but they’ve got to pay debt back. There’s been a lot of writing off of loans in various other industries.
“In a time when we’re seeing energy companies making bumper profits, maybe DCMS will do something to help the clubs across the board because of the feelgood factor that ruby gives to communities and the amount they put back into communities.
“You can’t just help the ones that are in financial difficulty because it’d be unfair for them to just help one and not help the other 12.”
Despite the off-field struggles, Healey is warmed by the quality on the pitch and believes the Premiership product is “amazing” as the new campaign kicks off.
Great spectacles
“If someone is considering joining their club to play or watching their local club, they should definitely do it,” he said.
“I’ve commentating for 14 years and there have been some really boring years. Dire games like a 6-3 Sale against Leeds. Or some terrible, dull, kick-fest.
“But last season there were very few games that were boring, if any. You’ve got more entertainment now than you’ve ever had.
“The thing the Premiership massively has in its favour is that the product is amazing. More often than not the matches are great spectacles.”
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