Rugby Blow: International Stars Speak Out Against the R360 League
The international rugby powers have joined forces to deal a harsh blow to the proposed R360 league. They have declared that any player who participates in the rebel competition will be excluded from selection for international matches. The joint statement, issued by the unions of the Six Nations (except Wales), as well as South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, strongly criticizes the R360 competition, urging “extreme caution” to anyone considering joining. R360, led by 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall, is also accused of being designed to benefit “a very small elite”, rather than the game in general. This announcement comes just days after the International Rugby Players’ Association advised its members to seek legal advice before signing a contract. It represents a major setback for a league that planned to launch in October of next year. If R360 goes ahead, something that seems increasingly unlikely, it will have to do so without the biggest stars in the sport.The statement goes on to argue that any new competition should strengthen the sport as a whole, rather than fragmenting or weakening it. The R360 model is also criticized, which, as has been publicly stated, seems designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, possibly undermining the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways. The statement emphasizes that international rugby and its major competitions remain the financial and cultural engine that underpins all levels of the game, from grassroots participation to elite performance. They underline that undermining this ecosystem could be hugely detrimental to the health of the sport. As a result, each of the national unions will inform male and female players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection. The Welsh Rugby Union, which is in the midst of a restructuring of its national game, has expressed its support for the declaration and reserves the right not to select players for international service if they are involved in R360. The plans for the rebel league involve 12 franchised teams, eight male and four female, who will participate in a global grand prix-style competition that will see matches in cities like London, Miami, Tokyo, and Lisbon. It is believed that up to 200 players have signed pre-contracts worth up to £750,000, but none have made their participation public. There are also no details about who is investing in the event. R360 is confident that it will launch next year despite the unions’ show of force. The R360 organizers stated in a statement: “Many players love what R360 can do for them and for the game, and we are eager to start next year.” They will request World Rugby’s approval next summer. “We want to work in collaboration as part of the global rugby calendar. The series is designed with tailored schedules for men’s and women’s teams, and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written in their contracts.”“As a group of national rugby unions, we urge extreme caution to players and support staff who are considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” reads the joint statement.
Joint Statement of the Unions
