Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR have released a joint statement, announcing their plans for new international competition that will take place every second year, beginning in 2026.
The tournament will feature all the sides from the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship, along with two nations that will be invited to join the SANZAAR sides - likely to two of Japan, Fiji, Tonga, or Samoa.
The competition will take place during the existing July and November international windows, and in the years where there is not a World Cup or Lions Tour taking place.
World Rugby will also be organising a tournament a Tier 2 tournament, with promotion and relegation to the Six Nations/SANZAAR competition.
However, promotion will only begin in 2030, after two years - 2026 and 2028 - of the new format.
Fans of the game have reacted strongly to the proposal, which they feel is taking away opportunities from Tier 2 nations to play Tier 1 sides, that would help bridge the gap between the Tiers, and grow the game around the globe.
Others have commented on the fact that a regular global tournament would dilute the importance of the World Cup.
Fans Are Not Happy With New Proposal For International Rugby
Wow well proof that @WorldRugby have lost control of the game.
With the 6 nations and Sanzaar coming together like this, that's most of the voting board of world rugby and them pushing everything through
Tier 2 will be further left behind
Their voices will mean less and less https://t.co/x4TiHjbxLp— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) July 1, 2023
https://t.co/NJIHoQ0qps pic.twitter.com/FVgd33m7M6
— CaolanSRugby (@CaolanSRugby) July 1, 2023
The Tier 2 nation being mentioned the most in discussions is Georgia, who have been teetering at a level just below the lower echelons of Tier 1 for a prolonged period.
Recently, however, they have made serious strides, with an improved U20s team who have beaten Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, and Fiji, in recent tournaments.
Their senior side have also made huge improvements, with a famous victory over Wales in 2022 and a win over Italy as well.
Rather than capitalising on this wave of good form and positivity in Georgian rugby, the ring-fencing of the new competition until 2030 is a clear indication that the prerogatives of Tier 1 nations are of greater importance than those in Tier 2 in the eyes of World Rugby.
Yes World Rugby are running the tier-two comp but promotion is only opening up in 2030.
So from 2026 to 2030, it is ring-fenced.— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 1, 2023
This decision will mean Georgia, who just beat Italy & Wales, won’t play a T1 team for at least four years. It would make sure a team coming out of nowhere like Chile never happens again.
This is rugby cashing in the growing nations to make a few quid for the old dogs. https://t.co/X1h9goSoAL— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) July 1, 2023
So the RWC's top teams compete in a comp every year? Takes some value out of the sport's biggest tournament, no?
And that's not even considering the two invitational sides, and how inevitably political their selections would become. https://t.co/IKDwCUyVvD— Nathan Russell (@NathP_Russell) July 1, 2023
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You can read the full statement from Six Nations/SANZAAR below:
“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 and 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 ensuring 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 a 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 helping deliver."
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