Hemispheres to collide in new World League

NEWS: Unions have reportedly agreed to a new global tournament that is set to shake up the rugby calendar from 2026

According to a report from the Telegraph, the new tournament or league will take place every two years and consist of two groups of six teams.

One group will consist of the existing Six Nations teams and the other group will consist of the Rugby Championship teams with Japan and Fiji expected to join them.

The report revealed that the Northern Hemisphere teams will face three Southern Hemisphere opponents away from home in July. It would mean that it will end the traditional July tours we currently have.

The return fixtures will take place at the home venues of the Northern Hemisphere teams in November.

The top team from each group would meet in a Grand Final.

A promotion and relegation format could also be introduced in 2030 to allow teams like Georgia, Samoa and Tonga a chance to compete as well.

The new competition would also mean the Six Nations will be “ring-fenced”, which would end speculation of the Boks joining that competition.

The report also revealed that the British and Irish Lions tours will not be impacted by the new tournament.

“The fundamentals have been agreed,” a source told the Telegraph.

“All key stakeholders have been involved and the structure of the season, the rugby and player welfare issues were resolved.

“It’s just tying down some of the outstanding commercial issues. We are just about over the line.”

Source: The Telegraph