Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings has warned that rugby’s traditional leagues could die out if plans for a new global breakaway tournament go ahead.
It was revealed last week that top players around the world have been targeted and offered huge sums of money to sign up to a new rebel league.
The lucrative proposals are still in the early stages. But, backed by money from the US and Middle East, it could well be a game-changer.
The new league is said to have reached agreements in principle with around 30 star names, offering bumper salaries and fewer matches in an eight-team franchise competition that would tour the world.
It would need upwards of 200 players to go ahead, with a possible start pencilled in for 2026. Likened to LIV Golf and cricket’s IPL, it represents the biggest threat to the established order in the professional era.
Adam Hastings was in action for Scotland last weekend in their victory over Portugal
The Scot admits the breakaway plans for rugby are ‘interesting’ but not without danger
Hastings sees potential for the plans to work, but insists it must not come at the expense of traditional tournaments.
The Scotland star also warned that players could essentially be choosing to end their Test careers if they were to go and chase the money.
‘Obviously they’re trying to create a new spin on it,’ he said. ‘It’s interesting to see. Whether it would work would be a whole different story I’d imagine. It’s one of those things that’s kind of hearsay until it happens.
‘Potentially [it could work]. But you’ve also got to look at the history and things in the other leagues as well. You don’t want them to die out.
‘It would be interesting to see how it would coincide with the internationals. Would it be like (going to) Japan?
‘If you go play in Japan, you kind of count yourself out for internationals. Look, there are a lot of moving parts.’
Hastings has toured the US with Scotland in the past and sees a market that would be ripe for more exposure to top level rugby.
‘If they could get it going over there it would be awesome, wouldn’t it?’ he said. ‘If it was one of the most popular sports, and you see how they do sport over there in the US – it’s pretty impressive.
Stars like Marcus Smith (left) and Finn Russell could be targeted by the breakaway league
‘The media backing behind it and the way they put players on a pedestal, it would be pretty cool.’
Hastings and his Scotland team-mates are now preparing for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Australia at Murrayfield.
The Scots thrashed Portugal last weekend, running in nine tries in a 59-21 victory against the part-time minnows.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, routed Wales 52-20 in Cardiff, following on from victory over England at Twickenham the previous weekend.
Hastings believes the rejuvenated Aussies will pose a serious threat to Scotland as Gregor Townsend’s side look to finish off their autumn campaign on a winning note.
‘They’re on fire at the moment, obviously just beating England and Wales,’ he said. ‘They’ve got a lot of firepower and they’re kind of hitting form again, so it will be a really tight game, I’d imagine.’
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Scotland star Adam Hastings admits breakaway plans for rugby are ‘interesting’ but warns it could threaten traditional leagues
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