This substantial investment program, which is part of a worldwide expenditure of $290 million over the next four years, will include increased funding for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Unions.

It has been made possible by the continued commercial success and growth of Rugby World Cup.

“The IRB’s financial results, from the final year of the four-year business cycle, paint a healthy picture for the game,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “Net revenues for the period were $247 million (as adjusted for International Financial Reporting Standards).

“The vast majority of the revenue generated is in respect of Rugby World Cup which generated a surplus of $232.5 million, underlining the 2007 tournament’s stature as the most successful Rugby World Cup ever.

“The confirmation of the record RWC surplus will allow the IRB to continue the roll-out of substantial investment in the game over the next four years. For the 2006-2008 period the IRB invested $57 million in the game to fund its expansion and increase its competitiveness and now it will embark on a further $91 million investment program over the next four years.

“When you add additional IRB expenditure in the form of annual Union grants, tournament assistance funding and education and training program expenditure a total of $290 million will be invested in the game during the 2009-2012 period. This expenditure will require the IRB to draw $72 million out of its reserves.”

Further details on the next round of initiatives (2009-2012) will be announced in the near future but it will mean significant funding for 22 Unions across Tiers 1, 2 and 3, and continued investment in the now established and successful IRB tournaments - IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, IRB Pacific Nations Cup, IRB North America 4 and IRB Nations Cup.