Rugby could be braced for a LIV Golf-style civil war with plans for a lucrative breakaway league reportedly at an advanced stage. Players could be asked to decide between club and country if World Rugby blocks the audacious plot.
It is claimed that around 200 of the world’s best players have been targeted in a proposal to have eight franchise teams competing in a global competition. A ‘significant’ number of top players have reportedly already signed up.
A Formula One-style league would see the teams travel to different ‘festivals’ in cities all around the world. But players could be forced to make the tough decision between club and country if World Rugby and unions within each nation block the move.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the plan is being backed by a small number of English and USA investors. They want to reset the game in a similar way to what the IPL has done in cricket. There are mounting concerns over the long-term viability of club rugby.
A court battle could beckon with unions and governing bodies taking a dim view of players turning their backs on their nations. Stars are claimed to have been persuaded to join the breakaway league with £708,000 salaries.
“We want more fan engagement, a better product on the field, fewer games for players and a commercial model to allow more money to flow into the game at every level by appealing to new audiences,” a source allegedly told the newspaper.
“We want to remove barriers of entry to the sport by taking it to all corners of the world. There will be a full release for international games because that is the pinnacle for every player, but we want to enhance and amplify the sport to protect its future.”
Figures close to the plans are reportedly plotting a 2026 start date. The proposal presents an immediate challenge to new World Rugby chief Brett Robinson, who won the election on Thursday and replaced the outgoing Bill Beaumont.
Each franchise would play each other twice across 14 rounds. However, backers reportedly insist that players will still be available to play test rugby for their countries and that domestic leagues will remain in place.
The new tournament, it is hoped, will revolutionise the profile of the sport. A new full-time women’s league would also be created to coincide with the men’s game.
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