The Six Nations sides along with Japan and Fiji are set to feature in an eight-team tournament to replace the northern hemisphere’s autumn internationals.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on November 14, two weeks after the completion of the Six Nations Championship, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in March.
The BBC reported that England are likely to be in a four-team pool alongside Wales, Ireland and Fiji, while Scotland, France, Italy and Japan will make up the other group.
After playing each other once, the teams will face their corresponding-ranked side in the other pool on the final weekend.
England are scheduled to face Ireland and Fiji at Twickenham with the venue for the Wales game still to be decided.
The tournament will be staged on four consecutive weekends until December. 5, in line with the temporary international window proposed by World Rugby last week.
Pundit
Roar Guru
Interesting to see the next generation o Japanese crop shape up Tamura is a good pivot and can certainly compete on world stage. Meanwhile, Kotaro Matsushima along with the pair of midfielders Lafaele and Nakaruma will add and edge in attack.
SDHoneymonster
Guest
I suspect that's because for the boards of England, Wales and Ireland, playing each other are their most lucrative games in terms of TV rights (and, in another reality, ticket sales) and therefore they want to play each other to make some cash. Fiji are a draw to the more casual rugby fan too, so even without crowds I suspect they'll all pocket a decent sum from that group.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
A one time event or something more permanent? If the former, it is nothing for the SH nations to be concerned about, especially as it will coincide with the expected Rugby Championship. But if the latter....
potsie
Guest
Japan is also hitting 1000 new cases a day, so maybe they are all at equivalent risk levels.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
The so called Pasifika team, which is a paper concept only at this stage, may not even get past that
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
If we have the proposed Nations Championship, Japan and Fiji will join the RC permanently.
nroko
Roar Rookie
The best was in the mid 2000s, when the Junior AB (later Maori NZ) and Australia 'A' were taking part in the Pacific nations competition including Japan. Unfortunately both teams left the comp, for cost reasons, Australia especially has suffered because that was a way to develop depth with international experience.
nroko
Roar Rookie
This is reward for Fiji and Japan voting for Bill Beaumont. Good for them, they deserve to be playing against Tier 1 teams. I think SANZAAR has missed out here, they should have got Japan onboard for at least for this years competition. Most of their players play in Japan so they don't have the same problems as the PI nations with club obligations etc. Fiji I understand with majority of the players already playing in Europe, logistically it makes sense.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I think this is embarrassing for SANZAAR. How could Japan and Fiji not be in the mix for the RC in NZ 2020? Both teams are good enough to beat both OZ and ARG and to put up a good fight against NZ and SA. It would be a perfect fit. Still, not a word from SANZAAR.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Yes Fiwi, I do realise that. And I believe there's been the Pacific Nations Cup which has taken on numerous forms (most involving the x3 PI's) throughout it's history. But thanks for pointing that out- it should have been framed; bring in the PI's for formal competition against Tier 1 Nations more often than every 4 years'.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
You do realise the Pacific Island unions play/used to have a home-and-away tri-nations tournament, played every year? One year they brought in Hawaii with predictable results.
PolyCoco
Guest
How ? Fiji has nothing to do with the NZRU plan . The PI team is a team that will play in SuperRugby(or what ever they’ll call it)will be of mixed Polynesian players headed by Umaga and Rockococo. It is going to be based in Hawaii or South Aucks. Fiji national side has nothing to do with it
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Fiji and the Islands have talent but no money. They need benefactors not poachers. World Rugby should step in. If NZ want a sixth and seventh side. 1 Past ABs still playing elsewhere. 2 Junior ABs. We could have our under 20s side.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Honest word, this is the best rough idea for comp/schedule reshuffling I’ve ever seen on here.
Jacko
Guest
How does it affect the proposed NZ plan?
Jacko
Guest
I guess they dont seem to care about C19....England still has 250,000+ cases and I think had a 1000 new cases in a day so how is it that they are doing this? Are the teams all isolating? 45,000 deaths so far
soapit
Roar Guru
those pools seems fairly unbalanced. more thoughts to come no doubt
Rob9
Roar Guru
Interesting. I’ve often though a similar concept could be useful down here to break up the Rugby Championship (instil a bit of prestige into it) and bring the islands in to more formal competition than just every 4 years. In the odd year between RWC’s, the x4 RC teams + the x3 PI’s and another SH qualifier (Uruguay or Namibia) come together and are broken up into x2 pools of 4. Play each other once over 3 weekends then the top 2 of each group goes to the Semi’s. The Rugby Championship is dropped from RWC years (where it’s effectively a trial event anyway) so the 4 year cycle looks like: TRC – Southern Hemisphere Championship – TRC – RWC
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
Have the SANZAAR unions blown their opportunity? You have to feel for Georgian rugby.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Hmmm interesting ,,,,, may put a cog in the works for the proposed Kiwi plan