Rugby Players want a share of the huge rugby world cup profits that they will be making for the IRB by playing in the world cup next year.

New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association boss Rob Nichol says that he players were poised to ask the International Rugby Board (IRB) for a share in the tournament’s profits.

Nichol told the Sunday Star-Times newspaper he had asked to negotiate with the IRB on behalf of the International Rugby Players’ Association, of which he is executive director.

He acknowledged the issue had the potential to be “difficult, but hopefully not”.

“But any discussion about finances is,” he told the newspaper.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it, and that’s where we are at, at the moment.”

“New Zealand, Australia and every other country is forgoing revenue generation opportunities and games in order to compete in the World Cup.

“Rugby World Cup generates huge proceeds off the back of being a huge commercial success.” Nichol added.

“What happens to that money? How much goes to the development of the game, how much goes to the participating unions and how much, potentially, is set aside for the players is a discussion we need to have.”

In a world cup year the number of Test matches is reduced as the June Tests fall away and the TriNations for example is shortened.

Most of the November internationals also fall away and as a result the Unions around the world forgo millions in profits.

The reduction in revenue hits the players as the Unions do not have the money to pay players.

“The whole game suffers. The commercial revenue the games generates funds the game at all levels. ”

“The players get 36 per cent of that revenue. The rest trickles down to the grassroots and funds the game in New Zealand, so this is an issue for everyone.”