Scottish Rugby: Large increase in top executive earnings revealed

Mark Dodson has been Scottish Rugby's chief executive since September 2011

Scottish Rugby's chief executive Mark Dodson has more than doubled his earnings for the year up to 31 May 2019 compared to the previous 12 months.

The group's accounts showed their "highest paid director" had received £933,000 in salary and benefits.

That's an increase of £478,000.

Scotland did not qualify from their World Cup group in Japan, while the SRU were fined £70,000 for Dodson's criticism over a potential cancellation of their tie with the hosts.

They were also ordered to apologise after an independent disputes committee said he had "brought the game into disrepute".

Increases have been widespread across the board, with the total paid to all company directors jumping from £1.13m to £2.246m.

The other executives on the Scottish Rugby board are chief operating officer Dominic McKay, finance director Andrew Healey and general counsel Robert Howat.

A statement from the national governing body said payments "reflect the individuals' contribution to its Long Term Incentive Plan to deliver on the organisation's strategic initiatives and targets".

The accounts come following a disappointing year for Scotland's national team on the field, with Gregor Townsend's side failing to make it out of the pool stage of the World Cup for only the second time in the competition's history.

They will also be hoping for an improved performance in the 2020 Six Nations, having finished fifth last year, with just one victory.

Turnover for the year was £61m, up from £57.2m, but profit before tax dropped to £308,000 from £1.8m.