New Rugby World League?

Unconfirmed reports in some rugby media today have suggested a new World Rugby World League has been agreed by the main rugby nations after months of negotiations. The league would include the top 12 ranked nations but will exclude the Pacific island teams from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Japan would likely be the only Asian representation if the league goes ahead.

Rugby World League – who will play?

Initial reports in the NZ Herald said that the USA and Japan would be included in the Rugby Championship alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina. These 6 nations would take on the six nations teams (England, Wales, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy) from 2020.

The financial incentive is huge with an “unknown broadcaster” allegedly “offering to finance the concept in a deal that will be worth around $10m-$14m a season for each nation.” said the Herald.

Importantly the deal is due to last for a decade with no promotion or relegation from either the Six Nations or Rugby Championship, so all emerging nations (like Georgia) and the Pacific island teams will be frozen out which seems ludicrous but not a complete surprise from World Rugby.

Rugby World League format

• Six Nations remains unchanged: England, Wales, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy.
• Rugby Championship: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, USA, and Japan play a single-match format.
• Rugby Championship sides to play 3 tests in July at home against Six Nations opposition.
• Rugby Championship teams to play the 3 Six Nations teams they didn’t play in July later in the year in Europe.
• Semi-finals and final to be played in Europe in November and December.

Rugby player welfare

A number of leading players have already come out and been critical of the proposed league. Their concerns were expressed via the International Rugby Players Council.

RugbyAsia247 will report on any updates on this story.