How much a poor Six Nations performance will cost the IRFU
It has been a disappointing start to the Irish men's rugby team's Six Nations campaigns following a comprehensive loss to France on opening night and an unconvincing win against Italy on Saturday.
With a mounting injury list, Andy Farrell's men were not expected to return from Paris with a victory, but the 36-14 blowout after giving up a 22-0 lead in the first half gave Ireland fans some pause.
The 20-13 win against long-time whipping boys Italy at the Aviva Stadium last weekend only added to the sense that the team is on the decline following an extended run of success that resulted in a record number of Irish players being picked for last summer's Lions tour.
The consequences of a continued downturn in performance will be felt in the IRFU's bottom line, although perhaps not in terms of ticket sales, with every match at the Aviva expected to sell out for the foreseeable future, nor for fixed broadcast and sponsorship revenue for the time being
However, the difference in prize money received by the Six Nations champions compared to the team that comes last is quite stark.
If France remains unbeaten through the tournament, the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) will receive a reported £6.5m (€7.5m) for winning the tournament plus £1m (€1.15m) for achieving a grand slam -- a total of £7.65m or approximately €8.8m.
Prize money for the runners-up is around £3.5m or €4m, the third-placed team receives £2.5m or €2.88m, fourth place gets £2m (€2.3m), fifth place £1.5m (€1.73m), and sixth place £1m (€1.15m).
That's a difference of €7.65m between a grand slam winner and the wooden spoon, while the gap from grand slam to fifth place would be closer to €7.1m
Ireland are currently fifth in the table and will play England at Twickenham this weekend before finishing their campaign with home ties against Scotland and Wales.
When Ireland won the grand slam in 2023, the IRFU is reported to have received €5.15m between €4.2m for finishing in first place and the €900,000 bonus for going unbeaten throughout the championship, so over the past three years it has become significantly more lucrative (€3.65m) to win it all.
In its latest annual report, the IRFU said its income generation is significantly reliant on the performance and popularity of the men’s national rugby team.
"A substantial proportion of total income is derived from a limited number of high-profile international fixtures, including home test matches and tournament participation.
"Accordingly, fluctuations in team performance, scheduling, or external factors affecting match attendance may materially impact income levels.
"The sustainability of this income stream is therefore closely linked to the continued success and marketability of the men’s national team."
The company reported income of €46.49m from international income during the 2024/25 season, accounting for ticket sales, hospitality, Six Nations prize money (third place), broadcast and sponsorship revenue, and income from the British & Irish Lions and World Rugby.
During the 2023/24 when the Rugby World Cup ensured the team played no home games during the traditional November window, international rugby income dipped to €31.89m.
The IRFU made an operating deficit of €4.2m in 2024/25, down from €18.4m in 2023/24, and the company is budgeting for a deficit during the current season despite playing an additional autumn international.
Ireland's full-back Jamie Osborne scores their first try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on February 14, 2026. (Pic: Paul Faith / AFP via Getty Images)
The union has reserves of €81.64m compared to €105.63m in 2022/23 and, speaking in November, CFO Theresa O'Driscoll said the IRFU does not expect to go into debt at any point over the next decade, but added: “We need to get to a break-even position across each four-year cycle, and despite an improved performance this year this is still some way off where we need to be.”
Photo: Fans of Ireland show their support by waving flags prior to the Guinness Six Nations 2026 match between Ireland and Italy at Aviva Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Pic: Evan Treacy/Getty Images)
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