MAY 5, 1997

Walkinshaw moves into rugby

WHILE Benetton's Flavio Briatore is tipped to be on the verge of buying the Oxford United soccer team, Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw has diversified his sporting activities by buying control of the Gloucester Rugby Club.

WHILE Benetton's Flavio Briatore is tipped to be on the verge of buying the Oxford United soccer team, Arrows boss TomÊWalkinshaw has diversified his sporting activities by buying control of the Gloucester Rugby Club. Gloucester is one of the country's leading clubs but it has been undergoing changes in recent months as rugby transforms itself from an amateur game into a professional sport. Walkinshaw's money has been used to recruit Frenchman PhilippeÊSaint-Andre and further hirings are expected.

Walkinshaw is rumored to have spent $4m for his 73% share in the team but says he is looking at it as a long-tern investment. If rugby follows the development of English soccer clubs in recent years, Tom will probably end up floating the club and making more money to add to his already considerable fortune.