Why investors will be keeping a close eye on rugby’s Nations Championship

Rugby's Nations Championship is set to launch in July, combining teams from the northern and southern hemispheres in a new tournament format. The competition is being closely watched by investors as a stress test for rugby's commercial viability, according to analyst Neil Barlow. The tournament aims to address the sport's challenge of maintaining relevance beyond major set-piece events like the Six Nations and the World Cup, which drew huge audiences such as England's 2023 semi-final against South Africa on ITV.