Esportif International has completed a merger with Big Red Management to form a global rugby agency which represents more current Six Nations players than any other.

Big Red Management were shortlisted for a BT Sport Industry Award for their management of England international Danny Care and the merger will see Mark Spoors, the managing director of Big Red, become a director at Esportif in the UK.

Spoors commented: “In the 13 years that I have been working in rugby, it has never moved as quickly or been as exciting globally as it is today.

“I am very proud of where Big Red stand in the British rugby agency marketplace which has come about through hard work, having a great team and always going beyond the norm to exceed our clients’ expectations.

“This is the right time to be thinking on a global basis, the combination of Esportif’s global footprint along with our commercial, media and off field offering, moves us closer to achieving our goal to being the number one rugby management agency in the world.”

Esportif chairman Peter Kenyon said: “Since the formation of Esportif International the goal has always been to be the number one rugby management business in the world and today’s announcement moves us closer to achieving our goal.

“Esportif is recognised for its management of world-class players and is the global leader in the management of rugby coaches. Big Red’s excellent reputation and presence in the UK compliments Esportif’s position in Europe and supports our already strong market presence in the Southern Hemisphere and Japan.

“The new group which is widely recognised for its unparalleled knowledge of rugby intelligence globally, is well positioned to capture the opportunities emanating from the rapid growth of rugby, including the upcoming Rugby World Cups in England and Japan.”

Among Esportif’s new team of clients is a raft of current home nations internationals as well as southern hemisphere players such as Jerome Kaino, Aaron Cruden and Matt Giteau.