High Court hears legal dispute will have 'serious implications' for Tonga's RWC preparations

A legal dispute which has "serious implications" for preparations by the Pacific Island nation of Tonga for this year's Rugby World Cup has come before the High Court.

The dispute centres around a judgement for €143,000 obtained by a French-based media company called SARL Team One Events against the Tongan Rugby Union over image rights.

The company is seeking to enforce the judgement in this jurisdiction by obtaining an order compelling rugby union's world governing body World Rugby Ltd, which is registered in Ireland, to pay Team One Events money due to be paid to the Tongans.

The matter was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Tony O'Connor at Monday's sitting of the court.

Stephen Byrne Bl for World Rugby said his side is opposing the company's application but would need time to reply to the matter.

Counsel said there was an urgency to the matter, given that Tonga will soon commence their preparations for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Japan, which starts on September 20.

Counsel said that the case has "serious implications" for those preparations.

Paul Binchy Bl for the company said his side were consenting to the adjournment.