RFU announces post-tax profit of 6.2M pounds

England's Rugby Football Union announced a net profit of 6.2 million pounds ($10.2 million) Thursday, attributing its return to profit to an increased number of home test matches.

The RFU's results for the year ending June 30 show an increase in ticket sales and match-day revenue that helped the governing body recover from a loss of 800,000 pounds a year earlier.

The Six Nations schedule and four November matches meant that Twickenham staged seven tests over the 12 months, two more than 2007-08.

Ticket sales generated 29.2 million pounds of the RFU's total income of 119.2 million pounds, compared to 13.2 million pounds a year earlier.

But with only five England matches at Twickenham before June 30, 2010, match-day revenue is set to fall back again.

"The recession started to affect our business in the second half year with corporate sales being particularly badly hit as the recession took hold," RFU finance director Nick Eastwood said. "As we look at the current year with only five test matches and continuing challenges in the corporate market, we remain cautious and are managing our business accordingly."

Cost-cutting measures saved 5 million pounds and helped offset a 40 percent drop in corporate sales.

Chief executive Francis Baron said that the opening of a hotel, health club and event facilities at the stadium will help reduce the impact of an irregular international ixur lstonth RU' inncs.

APNY102909101ET