England star offers strong reply with rugby braced for LIV Golf-style civil war

Quins and England star Marcus Smith says rugby is braced for a civil war if private equity firms attempt to take over the game like they have in golf

Smith's comments come after reports last week linked CVC Capital Partners with a potential £275 million investment in Premiership Rugby

England fly-half Marcus Smith has warned that rugby union is facing a civil war if private equity firms try to take over the sport in the same way they have in golf.

Last week, reports emerged linking CVC Capital Partners with a potential £275 million investment in Premiership Rugby, the top division in England.

The news has sparked fears that private equity firms could take control of the sport and make decisions that are not in the best interests of the players.

Smith, who plays for Harlequins and England, said: "I think it's important that the players have a say in the future of the game.

"We're the ones who are out there on the pitch, we're the ones who are putting our bodies on the line.

"So it's important that we have a say in what happens to the game."

Smith's comments were echoed by his England teammate Maro Itoje, who said: "I think it's important that we protect the integrity of the game.

"We don't want to see the game taken over by private equity firms who are only interested in making money.

"We want to see the game run by people who are passionate about rugby and who want to see the game grow."

The reports of CVC's interest in Premiership Rugby come just months after the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series launched, offering huge sums of money to players to leave the PGA Tour.

The LIV Golf Series has been widely criticized for its attempt to disrupt the established order in golf, and there are fears that a similar civil war could break out in rugby union.

Smith said: "I think the players are united in their opposition to private equity firms taking over the game.

"We're not going to let them destroy the game that we love."