Hopes of establishing a more globally aligned season have receded, with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) indicating it is unwilling to move the Six Nations or autumn schedule.
New World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont aims to synchronise the northern and southern hemisphere calendars, insisting that to make room, the Six Nations might have to be staged in April.
His plans have already hit a major stumbling block, however, with RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie hinting Twickenham will oppose any changes to the bulwarks of the international season in Europe.
If the Six Nations and November series are to remain in their slots, only the June tours will be left for negotiation.
“The Six Nations, as far as the date in the calendar is concerned, works well,” Ritchie told BBC Radio 4.
“As far as we’re concerned, we have a great TV deal and we have stadia that are filled for every game. Why would you want to change something that works really well? So I can’t see there being any significant move in that.
“And I think as well that the autumn internationals work terribly well for us as well. It’s early days yet, but it’s going to be an interesting few months on the global calendar discussions.”
The agreement over international fixtures expires after the 2019 World Cup and the stance of the sport’s richest union points to few changes being made to the existing schedule.
Adding to the gloom gathering over plans to harmonise the hemispheres is the new STG200 million ($A352 million) deal that extends until 2024 agreed to on Monday by the RFU and Premiership clubs.
“There have been a number of preliminary discussions about the global season. We’ve obviously had some talks about how we see the English situation and it’s early days,” Ritchie said.
“It’s a priority moving on. You’ve always got to have some elements of flexibility in an eight-year deal.”
Bakkies
Guest
The main reason why the Top 14 doesn't have the Final in May is due to the stadium deal Rugby doesn't have first choice of dates. The FFF gets first choice for its Cup Final then after that it's concerts. One of the main aims of the new stadium if it comes (along as Laporte doesn't FFR presidency as he wants to scrap) off it will go back to May.
Bakkies
Guest
'Not if you played those tests in Fiji and Samoa.' Which is a money loser. The ABs test in Samoa cost a fortune to host.
Bakkies
Guest
BB the ARU wanted the Super Rugby season to go in to September and October to align with the NRL Finals. SA Rugby said no because it would encroach on the Currie Cup season and take those players that play in both competitions away from it.
hog
Guest
Those many Aussies are not just opposed to the NRC, good luck to the comp. However we are opposed to the 'everything will be alright now as we have the NRC comp'. attitude, knowing full well that it will not address the issue of why the code is struggling so much in this country. Sadly it has never been smart or in the best interests of Australian rugby to prop up the current set up
Armchair sportsfan
Guest
We're arguing the same point bruv:)
Nigel
Guest
Have a competition set up when the Southern Hemisphere teams are touring at the end of our season, everybody is up there, have a knockout Comp instead if us playing games against the home nations, we have a big comp including AB, Boks, Pumas, Fiji, the home nations, France, Italy etc. they're all there, the crowds would live it and it can happen every year and fill the bank accounts!!
The Currie is not being protected, that is utter nonsense. It has been degraded for the past 20 years.
canadiankiwi
Guest
The Currie Cup and Mite 10 are the provincial comps that produce the massive professional rugby player pool in SA and NZ respectively. It is the reason why theses two nations have far more depth of test class players than Australia. It is smart and in their own best interest to protect these provincial competitions. It is also why ARU is so keen to see than the NRC grows into a similarly successful competition, despite all the opposition to it by many Aussies.
JonA
Guest
It's not a TV deal. That's what the RFU is paying the clubs for access to the players. These are clubs, not franchises, and they effectively own the players.
NaBUru38
Guest
Top 14 runs from August to June, of couse any Test match disturbs them. Super Rugby runs from February to July, so there's plenty of time for the Rugby Championship and November tests.
NaBUru38
Guest
Because European clubs refuse to release players to Southern national teams. June tests? Top 14 is in playoffs. Rugby Championship in August-October? Top 14 and English Premiership have already begun.
Bakkies
Guest
That's been tried previously when the HEC was played in a block then on to the 6 Nations but didn't work.
Bakkies
Guest
'Just stop for a minute and ask yourself how you would react if the ICC asked for the Boxing Day Test and New Year’s Test to be moved as it would make a better global cricket season? not well I should think.' That's occurred as neither SA or NZ are willing to give up the Boxing Day test. SA have played Boxing Day tests before in Australia but the ACB wouldn't give up the MCG money for a year by doing a reverse tour to SA around Christmas time. As a result SA are now touring in November when the kids are in school.
Bakkies
Guest
The 6 Nations and the AIs allows the IRFU to break even and make a small profit. The income that the IRFU get off the 6 Nations is dependent on where the Ireland team place in the tournament. A few seasons down in 5th place and in to the red they go. The in debt SRU will be further deep if they were relegated due to Georgia (which is in discussion) or the 6 Nations income dropped. Nick will be able to fill you on Wales' issues. He could write a book on it if he hasn't already. The unions are also reliant on the 6 Nations pot to fund the game. In relation to the AIs giving up half the gate to the ARU or NZRU is not an option. As for the French, the FFR have put in plans for an 80,000 seat roofed stadium in the south of Paris due to the noose that is the Stade de France 3 match per annum contract, the lack of primacy on tenancy (which is why the club Final is in June as the FFF and concerts get preference) and the unsafe surface.
AndyS
Guest
No need to go that far...just swap Super Rugby for domestic competitions and then you can play tests for eight months. A two tier professional game is the obvious end game for going back to domestic comps - works for cricket.
Bakkies
Guest
The primary revenue source is the 4 Nations. Super Rugby barely breaks even.
Hog
Guest
Well why don't we just scrap super rugby and play 8 months of tests then we'd rich. I mean really focus on your prime revenue source ?
Armchair Sportsfan
Guest
fair retort TWAS for that specific example (although I could have used something like the Melbourne Cup for similar logic). But in anycase the question comes back to 'why' should they feel compelled to move it'? as you mention, does moving it a month make a global season? and what is the benefit of this global season anyway? So from an RFU perspective I can completely understand reluctance to move it without someone explaining why they should go to the hassle of going into battle the premiership clubs and broadcasters for a schedule change...
bozo
Guest
Hard to understand the complaint from SH. June tests much like the November tests disturbing NH competitions. And on top of that they have to sort out the 6 Nations, rather than 4. Television funds it all. The current schedule provides pretty much 12 months of viewing
Higgik
Guest
I am English and ashamed. The RFU are playing hard ball, with the international game, while laying down for their club game. Personally, I would split the club and international seasons. The 6N should run at same time as TRC followed by tours, either up or down, but only in the three non RWC years. Think of a 14 weeks block on a 4 yr cycle 1. 6N & TRC followed by tours 2. 6N & TRC followed by Lins tour 3. As year 1 4. 6N & TRC followed by RWC