NPR

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR set to launch new international rugby competition

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR are working in partnership to establish a new international rugby competition due to start in 2026

The new competition will take place in the existing July and November international rugby windows

All of the Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR teams will compete in the new competition, and joined by two invitational Unions

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR will own and operate the elite competition

World Rugby will create a newly formed second-tier competition, to facilitate promotion and relegation matches

For Immediate Release

Saturday 1st July 2023 – London, UK

Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR are working in partnership, alongside global rugby stakeholders, to bring to life a new international rugby competition that will be played in the existing July and November test windows.

The creation of the new competition has been a collective process from the sport, including World Rugby, Unions, key leagues, competitions, and crucially, the International Rugby Players.

Set to begin in 2026, the new elite competition will feature all the Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR teams, with two spaces reserved for invitational unions to join the Southern Hemisphere group. A transparent selection process will be managed by SANZAAR, supported by World Rugby and the International Rugby Players, to determine these two invitational unions.

Owned and operated by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, the elite competition will take place in alternating years, outside of the British & Irish Lions Tours and Rugby World Cup.

Involved at every stage of developing the new competition, has been the International Rugby Players. This connection has been key in supporting the wider conversations around the club and international calendar taking place in parallel, and to ensure player welfare has remained a fundamental priority in all decision making.

To strengthen the development pathway for emerging nations, World Rugby will create a second-tier competition that will feature teams from Europe and the rest of the world, with Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR actively involved in cementing the link between the two divisions.

Establishing the two competitions will pave the way for promotion and relegation matches, contributing towards a valuable pathway for teams, and will support ambitions to sustain and grow the global game.

The introduction of the new elite international competition is testament to the strong ambition from all parties, motivated by delivering context and a stronger narrative around the July and November windows, that can genuinely excite players and bring new fans to the game.

The impact this will have on the game will be to drive its growth and long-term sustainability. This runs alongside the work being done to add greater clarity and balance to the club and international calendar; a process Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR remain committed to help deliver.

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 12:35 pm July and November?
I'm guessing the privately owned clubs have been "consulted" on this?

bok_viking wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 4:14 pm Is just a redressing of the summer and autumn internationals, now you just stand the chance to win a trophy at the end of it, maybe they are trying have more ride on the games than the normal, Just glad there are no extra games, just 1 extra for the 2 making the final I guess. Then again many of the SH teams had that extra game or 2 where they played the Barbarians, etc at the end of the year.
If the countries do take it seriously, I guess there will be less experimental team lineups as sometimes happen during the summer and autumn. So a group of new young players/fringe players might have a harder time getting a run out at the same time.

Biffer wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 1:30 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 12:35 pm July and November?
I'm guessing the privately owned clubs have been "consulted" on this?

Established international windows

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 12:46 pm

Biffer wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 1:30 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 12:35 pm July and November?
I'm guessing the privately owned clubs have been "consulted" on this?

Established international windows

Used to be June, wasn't it? When are the players supposed to get a break?

Sandstorm wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 6:13 pm

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Jul 02, 2023 12:46 pm

Biffer wrote: Sat Jul 01, 2023 1:30 pm

Established international windows

Used to be June, wasn't it? When are the players supposed to get a break?

After RWC quarters.