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Many top rugby associations, including England, have warned players wishing to join the proposed separate R360 league that they would be disqualified for national selection.
A statement issued by rugby unions in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy on Tuesday expressed her concerns. Proposed model And released an ultimatum.
R360 plans to launch in October 2026, With suggestions of proposals A 12-Team global franchise competition, which tours the world on the Grand Prix-style circuit, offering players attractive contracts and small sports programs.
Mike Tandal, former World Cup winning center of England, is one of the supporters of this enterprise.
Tuesday’s joint statement stated that the National Rugby Union “welcome all new investment and innovation” in the game, but expressed concern over the financial impact of the players, including the ground level on the welfare and the attractive new league’s rugby ecosystem.
It states: “As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging the players and collaborative staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.
“We all welcome new investment and innovation in rugby; and support ideas that can help develop the game and reach new audiences; but any new competition should be strengthened the game overall, not it or weaken it.
“R360 has not indicated us how it is planning to manage the welfare of the players; how the players will fulfill their aspirations to represent their countries, and how the competition will be co-existed with the international and domestic calendar, which has been talked about hard work for both our men and women sports in recent years.
“The R360 model, as stated publicly, appears to be designed to generate benefits and return them to a very small aristocratic class, which potentially hollows out the investment made in community development and partnership routes by national associations and existing leagues.
“International rugby and our major competitions remain a financial and cultural engine that maintains every level of the game – from ground level participation to specific performance. Weakening that ecosystem can be extremely harmful to our sports health.
“These are all issues that would have been cooperatively discussed, but the people behind the proposed competition have not met all unions to explain their business and operating models and better understand.”
It concluded: “Therefore every national association would advise male and female players that participation in R360 will make them disqualified for international selection.”
League organizers say around 200 male players have agreed to participate in the league, while R360 has contacted several top female players to participate in the women’s version.
Rugby chief Recently warned supporters of rebel league That recent success Women’s Rugby World Cup It was shown that any innovative addition in global rugby should work within the current structure of the game to succeed.
R360 on Tuesday responded to a joint statement of rugby unions, which confirmed his desire to “work collaborated as part of the global rugby calendar”.
It states: “It is not always easy to accept new opportunities, but as we have seen throughout the history, it is necessary for the development of any sport.
“So many players like what R360 can do for them and the game, and we cannot wait for the next year. Player Kalyan is one of the major reasons for creating our global series, which will significantly reduce the weight of the players and draw attention to the new generation of fans at globally.
“We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar. The series is designed with special programs for men and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written in their contract.
“Our philosophy is clear – if the players want to play for their country, then they should get that opportunity. Why would unions stand in their way?
“We are eager to present the World Rugby Council for the next summer approval as per the plan.”