World Rugby has confirmed that it has taken the reluctant decision to discontinue plans for the Nations Championship after the required unanimous agreement by unions to enter into exclusive negotiations was not achieved by yesterday’s deadline.
World Rugby says despite strong progress in collaboration with unions, competition owners and International Rugby Players, including full engagement on the detailed process of financial due diligence, a lack of consensus on key issues, particularly the timing and format of promotion and relegation, left World Rugby with no alternative but to discontinue the project.
The core objective of the Nations Championship was to secure a strong and sustainable financial and competition model for unions, provide for the first time a meaningful competition pathway for all emerging nations including Fiji, further inject excitement into the international game for fans and broadcasters and develop new markets for the betterment of all.
The concept was underpinned by a game‑changing 12‑year 6.1 billion Euro guarantee from leading sports marketing agency Infront Sports & Media, backed by Hong Kong‑based parent company Wanda Sports. Importantly, ownership of the competition would have been retained by the unions and competition owners without any sale of equity. Infront Sports and Media and Wanda Sports remain fully committed to World Rugby's objectives.
World Rugby says throughout extensive consultation with unions and the international game’s major stakeholders, World Rugby has demonstrated flexibility and made every effort to provide solutions and reassurance on key areas including the format of the second division, the financial package for relegated teams and key player welfare considerations.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “World Rugby undertook this important project with the best interests of the global game at heart in line with our vision to grow the sport as a game for all. While we are naturally disappointed that a unanimous position on the Nations Championship could not be achieved among our unions, we remain fully committed to exploring alternative ways to enhance the meaning, value and opportunity of international rugby for the betterment of all unions.
“This includes our continued commitment to competition and investment opportunities for emerging nations to increase the competitiveness of the international game with a view to possible Rugby World Cup expansion in 2027.
The proposed annual global competition would have seen the top international rugby nations divided into two conferences, the European conference and Rest of the World conference.
Each conference would have been divided into three divisions.
Division 1 in the European conference was supposed to include England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
World Rugby said Division 1 in the Rest of the World conference would have included New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and South Africa plus two other teams based on World Rugby rankings.
Based on current rankings, those two teams are Fiji and Japan.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
