Samoa rugby 'bankrupt'

The prime minister of Samoa has declared the country’s rugby programme bankrupt.

The declaration comes before the squad face Tests against Scotland on Saturday, 11 November, and England later this month.

Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of Samoa Rugby Union (SRU), has asked the public to donate money to keep the sport alive.

It is suspected the news will put pressure on other nations - England in particular - to share revenues from games with the Samoans.

English rugby has profited from players of Samoan descent playing in the Premiership, and in the case of Manu Tuilagi, for the national side as well.