World Rugby scraps controversial Nations Championship plans

The All Blacks would have been one of the nations competing in the Nations Championship.
The All Blacks would have been one of the nations competing in the Nations Championship. Photo credit: Getty

World Rugby has abandoned its plans to create a Nations Championship after failing to gain support from unions, the sport’s ruling body said on Thursday (NZ time).

Rugby's governing body needed unanimous approval from the 10 countries that make up the Six Nations and Rugby Championship to enter into exclusive negotiations.

The proposed format would have launched in 2022, with the Six Nations winners facing off with the top team from an expanded, six-team Rugby Championship.

But World Rugby have y back tracked on their decision saying they "undertook this important project with the best interests of the global game at heart".

"While we are naturally disappointed that a unanimous position on the Nations Championship could not be achieved among our unions, we remain fully committed to exploring alternative ways to enhance the meaning, value and opportunity of international rugby for the betterment of all unions," said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont.

"This includes our continued commitment to competition and investment opportunities for emerging nations to increase the competitiveness of the international game with a view to possible Rugby World Cup expansion in 2027."

World Rugby identified the inability to reach a consensus on key issues such as the timing and format of promotion and relegation as the reason for scrapping the project.

Reuters