LONDON: World Rugby, the global governing of the game, outlined its vision for the future of international rugby, including the proposed Nations Championship concept and its supporting business model, during a meeting with major stakeholders in Dublin on Thursday.
World Rugby is undertaking this project in line with the mandate of its unions to secure a strong and sustainable competition and financial platform for unions and a true opportunity for emerging nations to develop and compete at the highest level.
At the meeting of unions, competition owners and international player representatives, the federation outlined details of a game-changing competition model that delivers a true pathway for all unions through a three-division format and a system of promotion and relegation.
World Rugby is likely to confirm a record commercial partnership with leading global sports marketing company Infront, guaranteeing almost £5 billion ($6.6 billion) to be reinvested in the sport over an initial 12-year period (of which more than £1.5 billion ($2 billion) is guaranteed incremental revenue for the world game).
Infront also has existing deals with the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship.
The proposed business model covers both media and marketing rights but does not include any sale of equity in the competition and therefore full control of the competition and its revenue redistribution model would be retained by the unions, the current major competitions and World Rugby.
World Rugby also outlined revisions to the original proposal presented to unions in September 2018, following feedback from key stakeholders, including leading players and club competitions:
- World Rugby reduced the schedule by removing the semi-final stage, with player welfare continuing to be a central consideration.
- Players would play 11 Nations Championship matches (and a maximum of 12 matches if their team reaches the final), compared to an average of between 12 and 14 test matches presently.
- Commitment to work with International Rugby Players and the leading domestic club competitions to optimise the model.
- A commitment to invest in a Women’s Nations Championship to accelerate the global competitiveness of the game.
However, the Six Unions nations may derail World Rugby’s plans considering that they could offer a 30% share for the tournament to CVC Capital, the private equity firm, which has bid reportedly worth UK£500 million (US$657.9 million) for the same.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “I would like to thank my union, competition and player representative colleagues for their candid, constructive and positive contributions.
“There was strong recognition that World Rugby’s Nations Championship proposal, based on a true pathway for all, has been developed with great care, extensive evaluation and with the global game at the forefront of our thinking.
“We are encouraged that the format revisions and robust financial model has been well-received. Everyone, not just the established teams, will benefit, accelerating the development and competitiveness of the global game.
“However, as you would expect in an ambitious, complex and multi-stakeholder project, not everyone is in full agreement on the way forward, including the matter of promotion and relegation.
“This is a pivotal time for the game, and we will continue to engage and consult, but only by keeping the best interests of the global game at heart will we be able to achieve something truly impactful for the future success and sustainability of the game.”
