Dublin (AFP)
Shift to better align? World Rugby brings together all the players in world rugby in Dublin on Monday, the author of a major challenge: the redesign of the calendars and the possible alignment of the North and South hemispheres.
It is an old sea snake that has re-emerged during the pandemic, that of a global, global, harmonized calendar. Clearly, align the competitions to the North and to the South.
And it is therefore during an XXL videoconference that the future of rugby will be decided. Gathered around a virtual round table, all stakeholders: major federations (6 of the Tournament, 4 of the Rugby Championship, as well as Japan and Fiji) but also the English and French championships (Premiership and Top 14).
The summit meeting in the Irish capital should not, however, lead to a clear decision on Monday. Firstly because the debates promise to be as tight as tense but also, and especially, because it is the Council of World Rugby which will have the last word. But this discussion will give a heavy tendency for an issue probably expected in July.
Four scenarios have filtered. The first would see the season start in February, with the Six Nations Tournament in March-April and international meetings (tours or World Cup) in October-November. The months of December and January would thus be reserved for the players' rest and preparation.
On the same timing, another option proposes to start the season with the Six Nations Tournament in February and to let club competitions occupy the calendar until the end of the year since October and November would be reserved for international meetings.
Other hypotheses move the Tournament in March and April and extend the international window to two months, in October and November. And a start to the season in September.
- The LNR's counter-proposal -
These possibilities in any case limit club competitions (championship and European Cups) to six months, against ten currently. According to League estimates, this upheaval could lead to a drop in club income of 30 to 40%, or between 130 and 165 million.
This scenario irritates the Top 14. "What is important for us is the length of the season, which runs from September to June. For partners, spectators, broadcasters ... it has to be a soap opera that lasts ten months, not something reduced to frenzy over six months. There would be a loss of value and therefore a very significant financial loss, which is not negotiable for us, "explained Paul Goze, President of the National League (LNR) at AFP.
A few days before the Dublin meeting, the president of the LNR unveiled an alternative plan, "a progressive proposal", relatively close to what is happening now "but which meets the demands of the South without penalizing the North".
This reflection, from a working group of ten Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs (including Racing 92, Stade Toulousain, Perpignan, Biarritz or Lyon), puts the clubs back at the heart of the calendar.
"An extension of the international zone in November, a Club World Cup every four years in the spring, a reduction in the Six Nations Tournament and a European Cup which, instead of nine dates, would (occupy) eight ", summarizes the boss of French professional rugby.
"An evolution, not a revolution": the calendar of the Southern hemisphere would be maintained from February to November, while that of the North would be spread from September to July. It also opens the door to a 'Nations Cup' in even years with three matches in July in the South, three matches in the Northern hemisphere in November.
According to information from AFP, English clubs are rather willing to side behind the French proposal, which would also shift the British Lions Tour in November.
According to projections, this new calendar could be launched in September 2021, with a Club World Cup, bringing together the eight best clubs in the North and the best eight in the South, from April 2022.
Will this scenario convince the different parties? First elements of response on Monday ...
© 2020 AFP