Rugby Blow: International Stars Oppose R360 League
A forceful movement shakes the rugby world. The international powers of the sport have joined forces to issue a severe warning to the proposed R360 league, announcing that any player involved in it will be excluded from the national team. A joint, unprecedented statement issued by the unions of the Six Nations (except Wales), along with South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, strongly criticizes the rebel competition, urging “extreme caution” to anyone considering joining. R360, led by 2003 World Cup champion 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 recommended its members seek legal advice before signing a contract. This 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 its biggest stars.The statement continues to emphasize the importance of strengthening the sport as a whole, rather than fragmenting it. It criticizes the R360 model, arguing that it appears designed to generate profits for a reduced elite, which could undermine the investment of national unions and existing leagues in community rugby and player development. It is emphasized that international rugby and major competitions are the financial and cultural engine that supports all levels of the game. Undermining this ecosystem could be detrimental to the health of the sport. Therefore, each of the national unions will inform the players, both men and women, that their participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection. The Welsh Rugby Union, which is in the midst of restructuring its domestic game, has expressed its support for the statement and reserves the right not to select players for international service if they are involved in R360. The plans for the rebel league include 12 franchised teams, eight male and four female, that would participate in a global grand prix-style competition, with 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 interest public so far, nor are there any details about who is investing in the event. R360 is confident that it will launch next year despite the unions’ show of force.As a group of national rugby unions, we urge extreme caution to players and support staff who are considering joining the proposed R360 competition.
Joint Statement
The R360 organizers plan to seek World Rugby approval next summer. They claim that the series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams, and that R360 will release all players for international matches, as stipulated in their contracts.So many players love what R360 can do for them and for the game, and we are looking forward to starting next year.
R360 Organizers
