IRB takes a tentative step forward
The IRB has taken another small step towards the creation of a globally integrated playing calendar, announcing that a forum will be convened for the game’s stakeholders to integrate themselves into the process.
This comes as a result of ongoing discussions between the IRB and its member unions as to how best to integrate the northern and southern hemisphere seasons and the Rugby World Cup.
A statement from the IRB released on Wednesday read:
“Over the last 15 months the IRB has engaged financial services company Deloittes to deliver analysis on the structure, health and economics of the Game worldwide.
“The information from these reports will be used by the forum along with further detailed financial modelling that will be required to ensure robust debate on the way forward.
“Proposed options that have evolved from the IRB’s High Performance Committee and Executive Committee involve re-alignments to the matches currently played as part of the existing June and November international windows.
“The forum will allow the IRB to discuss with the Game’s stakeholders these options plus any others raised by the attendees through a pre-forum consultation process.
“The forum will be facilitated by an independent third party. The venue, attendees, facilitator and format of the forum will be announced in the near future.”
