Premiership Rugby in £275m takeover talks after CVC approach

The approach has come from former F1 owners CVC Capital Partners, which is looking for a 51% share.

The prospective deal would mean a windfall for the 12 Premiership clubs, many of whom have endured severe financial losses recently.

Worcester Warriors lost £8m and Harlequins £6m in the past accounting year, while only Exeter Chiefs made a profit.

However, there are concerns that a deal of this kind could drive a further wedge between the club game and the Rugby Football Union.

Financial equity firm CVC would also be unwilling to make such a play without seeing a sizeable return for its investment.

It is understood the clubs have long sought a means to raise extra capital in order to take the league to the next level.

But CVC’s valuation of the league at about £550m falls short of the clubs’ expectations.

Club sources have also indicated the approach is one of a handful of options, with nothing imminent at this stage.

“Financial sustainability is one of things we focus on continually,” Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCaffery said in May.