Benjamin Kayser, fmr. France Rugby: Six Nations, Rugby Stardom and failures of the RFU

With the Six Nations underway, it’s time to talk rugby. Benjamin Kayser won 47 caps for France, playing club rugby in both The Premiership and Top 14 for the likes of Leicester Tigers and Clermont. Since hanging up his boots, he has become a regular on our screens as a commentator and pundit with ITV. Not afraid to say it how it is, and with an undying passion for the game, there was no one better to sit down with on the eve of the tournament to look at the overall health of the sport.

We have had a number of amazing rugby chats on the show, and each one has brought a different perspective and assessment of where the game is strong and where improvements are needed. From a French perspective, the domestic game is in good stead, with media revenues triple that of the Premiership and the financial flexibility to sign the biggest players.

But as we discuss on the show, is it too simple or even accurate to blame the salary cap in the Premiership for an inability to match the commercial performance and quality of the French league? By extension, why has it been so important for both domestic leagues and international federations to turn to Private Equity cash? 

This is unfiltered rugby chat from a former player who knows what needs to happen to bring this sport to a global audience.

On today’s show we discuss:

Premiership vs Top 14:

• Having played in both, what is the major difference between the two leagues and has it changed since Benjamin was playing?

• We know a lot about transfer processes in football, but what happens when a rugby player moves clubs?

• The financial difference between playing in France and England.

• Why has Top 14 broken away from the Premiership in quality and commercial performance? Has France got its domestic model right?

• What has attracted billionaires to invest in the French leagues in ways we haven’t seen in England?

• The importance of multi-purpose stadia to drive revenue not reliant on rugby.

Rugby Players as Cultural Icons:

• Why have rugby players found it hard to build a ‘superstar’ profile that is needed to drive eyeballs in a sporting environment driven by individuals?

• Can you be a team player and build your own personal brand?

• Is it the responsibility of the player or the club/federation to elevate the ‘status’ of their talent?

• Has rugby leveraged media opportunities provided by OTT platforms well enough to compete with Drive to Survive or All or Nothing?

• The rise of Ilona Maher and the need for a player in the men’s game to deliver a level of engagement beyond their work on the field.

The Health of International Rugby:

• International rugby is capable of attracting hundreds of millions of viewers, but how do you transform one time watchers into regular fans?

• How relationships with club rugby organisations can influence the success of international teams.

• Should players be eligible for selection if they do not play in their domestic leagues?

• What are the economics of international rugby? How much are match fees and who gets paid the most?