RFU donate £75,000 to bankrupt Samoa Rugby Union ahead of England clash at Twickenham

The RFU will give the bankrupt Samoa Rugby Union £75,000 as a “goodwill gesture” to help pay the players who face England at Twickenham on November 25.

However, they insist it is World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, who must take the lead over the disastrous financial situation facing the Pacific Island’s union.

The £75,000 mirrors the money England, the world’s richest union, gave Fiji when they took part in last year’s November internationals.

England’s players will receive £22,000 per man for appearing in the Samoa game, with the visiting players getting around £650 each and having their insurance paid for thanks to the RFU donation.

Samoa play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday and there will be pressure on their rugby union to also help the situation.

The Samoa Rugby Union (SRU) were declared bankrupt by the country’s prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi ahead of this autumn’s internationals and a radio appeal is taking place.

“They are begging the public for their financial support in today’s radiothon,” Samoa journalist Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia told RadioNZ.

“They did not say how much money they’re looking to collect but they need hundreds of thousands.”

England star Mako Vunipola led calls for the players to help their cash-hit rivals. He said: “If 23 England players give £1,000 each, that will make a lot of difference.”