NPR

Rugby chiefs have agreed a new world league blueprint that will see a northern versus southern hemisphere ‘grand final’ every two years, as well as the ringfencing of the Six Nations Championship, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

The new league structure, which will only include games that take place in the summer and autumn windows, is set to be introduced from 2026 and will be formed by two groups of six teams from each hemisphere – namely the Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides, wth Japan and Fiji also expected to be included.

The new format means that:

The current format of the Six Nations Championship will be ring-fenced, ending any hope South Africa held of joining the European competition or for the introduction of promotion and relegation.
Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.
The fixtures will be replicated at the home venues of the northern hemisphere nations in the November window, with the top team from each pool facing each other in a grand final, and ranking play-off games for the others.
The tournament will be held every two years from 2026, with fixtures rotated so that every side plays against each other over a two-tournament cycle
From 2030, a promotion and relegation could be introduced to provide a pathway from a second-tier competition which is expected to be launched next year for nations including Georgia, Samoa and Tonga.
All stakeholders are confident it will not diminish the status of the Rugby World Cup, and it will be marketed as a battle of the hemispheres.
The future of the British and Irish Lions tours will be secured and in Lions years countries able to stage traditional tours as normal, and include more fixtures against tier two countries to enhance their development.
It is understood that negotiations, which began in March 2020, are now entering a final consultation phase with the clubs and players’ representatives to ensure it has complete alignment and buy-in for a newly structured global season.

Senior sources have indicated that the new league is on course to be unveiled by the start of the Rugby World Cup in France this September.


“The fundamentals have been agreed,” said one source close to the negotiations. "All key stakeholders have been involved and the structure of the season, the rugby and player welfare issues were resolved some time ago. It's just tying down some of the outstanding commercial issues, but we are well advanced on those as well. We are just about over the line."

The stakeholders, which have included World Rugby and players' representatives, hope that by adding a competitive narrative to the summer and autumn Test series, there will be a significant uplift in the broadcasting and commercial values for both hemispheres.


The Six Nations already aggregated their broadcasting and commercial revenues as part of a deal known as ‘Project Light’ which would make a similar arrangement with their Sanzaar counterparts.

Central to the negotiations from the northern hemisphere perspective was excluding the Six Nations from the new world league, which proved to be the major stumbling block of talks about the failed ‘Nations Championship’ concept in 2019.

“It was imperative that we didn’t mess around one of the major crown jewels of the game and risked that for a very hypothetical benefit,” said another senior source.

“South Africa made public their interest in joining the Six Nations, but it was never up for discussion. We have never entertained expansion.

“This has been about finding an appropriate solution on the July and November windows, if we can do that it will be perfect development on the global scale for the game and find right equilibrium for the international game going forward.

“The new tournament will add a competitive north -v south narrative, which will not affect the World Cup or Lions tours and there is also the possibility for emerging nations to participate in it through a development phase below so that there could be some, some pathway between the two at some point would be in the great interest of the game.


“All the stakeholders have been involved so there are no surprises for anyone.”

One of the details still under discussion include the possibility of staging the grand final at a high-profile neutral venue to enhance the profile of the league and grow a new audience, with Hong Kong one possibility.

It is understood one of the outstanding issues is also the timing of the Rugby Championship in the new global season.

“Anything that improves the experience, the narrative should drive value for the fans and if it does then there will be incremental value for the game, not just in our nations but beyond,” added another source. “This will be critical to help fund the game to compete with other sports and other forms of entertainment.”

Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.

The fixtures will be replicated at the home venues of the northern hemisphere nations in the November window, with the top team from each pool facing each other in a grand final, and ranking play-off games for the others.

Ymx wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:29 am This sounds like poop.

Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.

The fixtures will be replicated at the home venues of the northern hemisphere nations in the November window, with the top team from each pool facing each other in a grand final, and ranking play-off games for the others.

I love the down under tours. How good was New Zealand v Ireland. It means a hell of a lot more to follow a tour and win a tour. Than the shitty speed dating Autumn Internationals.

Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:34 am

Ymx wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:29 am This sounds like poop.

Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.

The fixtures will be replicated at the home venues of the northern hemisphere nations in the November window, with the top team from each pool facing each other in a grand final, and ranking play-off games for the others.

I love the down under tours. How good was New Zealand v Ireland. It means a hell of a lot more to follow a tour and win a tour. Than the shitty speed dating Autumn Internationals.

Yeah I thought there was a degree of consensus that hopping round the SH had contributed to tired NH teams getting battered on summer tours.

The current format of the Six Nations Championship will be ring-fenced, ending any hope South Africa held of joining the European competition or for the introduction of promotion and relegation.
Northern hemisphere sides will play three southern opponents away from home in the July window, bringing to an end the traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country.
The fixtures will be replicated at the home venues of the northern hemisphere nations in the November window, with the top team from each pool facing each other in a grand final, and ranking play-off games for the others.
The tournament will be held every two years from 2026, with fixtures rotated so that every side plays against each other over a two-tournament cycle

“The new tournament will add a competitive north -v south narrative, which will not affect the World Cup or Lions tours and there is also the possibility for emerging nations to participate in it through a development phase below so that there could be some, some pathway between the two at some point would be in the great interest of the game.

Grandpa wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:22 pm I'd like a bigger Rugby Championship. Took ages to get Argentina in... and they have been a breath of fresh air... Ring fencing isn't ideal for growing the sport... The Six Nations need Georgia and the like involved too... grow the game.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

pjm1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:08 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

Only Fiji and Japan have been getting tier 1 games recently though. Georgia played Uruguay, Samoa and Wales in 2022.

pjm1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:08 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

Only Fiji and Japan have been getting tier 1 games recently though. Georgia played Uruguay, Samoa and Wales in 2022.

All key stakeholders have been involved and the structure of the season, the rugby and player welfare issues were resolved some time ago. It's just tying down some of the outstanding commercial issues, but we are well advanced on those as well. ."

Grandpa wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:22 pm I'd like a bigger Rugby Championship. Took ages to get Argentina in... and they have been a breath of fresh air... Ring fencing isn't ideal for growing the sport... The Six Nations need Georgia and the like involved too... grow the game.

I hope they get this development phase going... we've ignored the 2nd tier nations for too long...

“The new tournament will add a competitive north -v south narrative, which will not affect the World Cup or Lions tours and there is also the possibility for emerging nations to participate in it through a development phase below so that there could be some, some pathway between the two at some point would be in the great interest of the game.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:31 pm

All key stakeholders have been involved and the structure of the season, the rugby and player welfare issues were resolved some time ago. It's just tying down some of the outstanding commercial issues, but we are well advanced on those as well. ."

Lies, lies, lies, ahh there we go

Grandpa wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:23 pm All so negative. I'm going to give it a chance and see what happens. Until we see it in action it's difficult to be highly for, or against... It's basically keeping the same model as now, except giving test friendlies a bit more meaning, rather than standalone tests.

Monk wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:00 pm I don’t want the Boks playing in the 6 Nations and I don’t like the look of this competition.

Smacks of people making changes merely because they can.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:27 pm I'm looking forward to a packed Murrayfield for the 7/8th place play off match

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:31 pm

pjm1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:08 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

Only Fiji and Japan have been getting tier 1 games recently though. Georgia played Uruguay, Samoa and Wales in 2022.

I see what you did there.

PornDog wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:17 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:27 pm I'm looking forward to a packed Murrayfield for the 7/8th place play off match

no, no - you're massively under playing the crazy - that will be played at a neutral venue I'll have you know!

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:58 pm

PornDog wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:17 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:27 pm I'm looking forward to a packed Murrayfield for the 7/8th place play off match

no, no - you're massively under playing the crazy - that will be played at a neutral venue I'll have you know!

In Luxembourg. Growing the Game.

Hal Jordan wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:52 pm

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:58 pm

PornDog wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:17 pm

no, no - you're massively under playing the crazy - that will be played at a neutral venue I'll have you know!

In Luxembourg. Growing the Game.

Somebody has to entertain the CVC stakeholders.

GogLais wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:17 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:31 pm

pjm1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 2:08 pm

Only Fiji and Japan have been getting tier 1 games recently though. Georgia played Uruguay, Samoa and Wales in 2022.

I see what you did there.

I was somewhat perplexed for a moment, I get it now.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:58 pm

PornDog wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:17 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:27 pm I'm looking forward to a packed Murrayfield for the 7/8th place play off match

no, no - you're massively under playing the crazy - that will be played at a neutral venue I'll have you know!

In Luxembourg. Growing the Game.

LoveOfTheGame wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:39 am Shit^3.

A small silver lining is that it will keep the Springboks out of the 6N, so we at least have that.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:05 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

WR shafting the very nations it claims to be helping to develop? Who'd have thunk it?

I'm with you. It's yet another artificial attempt to generate meaning and interest.

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:13 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:05 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

WR shafting the very nations it claims to be helping to develop? Who'd have thunk it?

I'm with you. It's yet another artificial attempt to generate meaning and interest.

The best way to generate meaning would be to promote multi game test series between the better nations. I don't know what's on the cards for next summer but can you imagine the hype around a South Africa v Ireland 3 test series, Or NZ v France? Or dare I say it, Scotland v Australia given how tight they've been for the last ten years?

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:13 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:05 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:05 am It's shit and I hate it. Test rugby didn't need to be forced into a league structure to make it meaningful.

Also seems to create a situation where only Fiji and Japan definitely get games against tier 1 opposition, which is a step down from our current international calendar where Georgia have been in the Autumn rotation and get at least 1 game each season. Similarly Tonga and Samoa have long been staples of the Autumn tests

WR shafting the very nations it claims to be helping to develop? Who'd have thunk it?

I'm with you. It's yet another artificial attempt to generate meaning and interest.

The best way to generate meaning would be to promote multi game test series between the better nations. I don't know what's on the cards for next summer but can you imagine the hype around a South Africa v Ireland 3 test series, Or NZ v France? Or dare I say it, Scotland v Australia given how tight they've been for the last ten years?

_Os_ wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 12:50 pm For me the big problem with this suggestion last time was forcing Japan and Fiji into the RC. Which means turning it into a poor mans 6N, the Boks would play Japan/Fiji/Pumas/Wallabies/ABs all once each. It would be perfectly possible to only get one or two decent games out of that, which may or may not be in SA. It would risk making it go the same way as Super Rugby, where the teams are spread over four continents, the travel is immense (Japan is in the NH and on the other side of the world from SA), and the content becomes lower quality. It's already been proven South Africans stop caring about the competition in that scenario. I know for a fact when there's two matches a weekend and the quality is likely to be good, South Africans watch both. The opposite will happen if Japan and Fiji are added, South Africans will start only watching the Boks and not bother with the rest, then go off the comp entirely.

If the RC doesn't remain only Boks/ABs/Pumas/Wallabies, playing eachother twice. Then this deal is a fuck up.

If Japan and Fiji are forced into the RC. Then it would be better if the NH tours to the SH were ended entirely and the Boks/ABs/Pumas/Wallabies played alternating test series every July (so over three seasons each plays a test series against eachother), so we can still get some extended game time against decent opponents in something meaningful.