World Rugby has recommended a revised international calendar following the disruption due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
With uncertainties surrounding international travel in the southern hemisphere, World Rugby’s executive committee has proposed this year’s Rugby Championship be hosted in one country over a six-week period between November 7 to December 12.
SANZAAR has said its preferred host for the competition is New Zealand, where the coronavirus threat has been contained in recent weeks.
A temporary international window between October 24 and December 5 has been proposed has been put forward for northern hemisphere matches.
The Six Nations Championship can resume at the end of October and a new set of international matches involving European nations can be played across the continent from November 14 to December 5.
World Rugby said special measures will be implemented in line with any government-required quarantine period before the start of the competition.
The global rugby calendar is in a state of flux due to the pandemic which has caused most cross border and domestic club competitions to be suspended since March.
Scheduled tours by European teams to the southern hemisphere were cancelled and the postponements have placed financial strain on most rugby nations, with even the leading countries predicting multi-million dollar losses in 2020 due to reduced television, commercial and ticket revenue.
The recommendations to temporarily change the international window will be tabled at a virtual World Rugby Council meeting on July 30.
“Subject to approval, the full schedule of matches will be announced by the respective union and international competition owners in due course,” World Rugby said in a statement.
“All parties remain committed to continued dialogue regarding long-term men’s and women’s calendar reform that harmonises the international and club environments for the betterment of all.”
Sluggy
Roar Guru
WR needs to make it an official international window, so that Springbok and Puma players have to be released by the northern clubs.
Jacko
Guest
Maybe I read this wrong but is WR saying that the RC is scheduled for when SAANZAR and the 4 SAANZAR unions had already worked out amongst themselves and will be in NZ which had also been worked out already? Thats a great imput from WR...
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
You’d think that they’d be happy that with no northern tours we’ll be away for less time than usual, and will be there when their 19/20 season finishes in October. However knowing them you’re prob right!
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
be interesting for us kiwis having Argentina Australia and south Africa here
Sluggy
Roar Guru
The last week of the RC appears to be an extra 'window' week. Don't forget though that you need to add quarantine periods at the front end. "World Rugby said special measures will be implemented in line with any government-required quarantine period before the start of the competition." So that could be almost 10 weeks. I predict the whining from the NH clubs will start shortly.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
It’s after the 2020 European and English finals so it should be perfect timing. My only worry is that the Rugby Championship isn’t scheduled to finish until a week later.
Sluggy
Roar Guru
October 24 and December 5 - about = six weeks. Plus perhaps a training week prior to October 24, so about 7. It will be interesting to see if the English and French club owners try to block this.