THE about-change in the commercial fortunes of club rugby and its international counterpart have been highlighted this month by the deals struck by Premiership Rugby and the Six Nations.
For the first time since the game went professional 23 years ago it is the international game that has the look of the poor relation. The Six Nations has always been considered to be the premium brand in the sport outside the rugby World Cup and Lions tours.
However, its attraction as the biggest annual event in the game appears to have taken a hit with new sponsors Guinness securing a six-year deal (2019...