Rugby: World League with promotion/relegation system could be applied to the Six Nations (The Times)

A promotion/relegation system could be applied to the Six Nations Tournament from 2022 onwards as part of a rescheduling process discussed at a meeting held in Los Angeles, California, USA, between World Rugby and the Tier 1 nations, included in the 6 Nations Tournament, according to the British daily The Times, on 30/01/2019.

According to The Times, a World League could also be established. It would include the countries participating in the Six Nations and those of the Rugby Championship which would mean that Fiji and Japan could be integrated, again with a promotion/relegation system. This new competition, a mini-championship with 12 nations, would be played during the current international windows in June (slot which was moved to July) in the Southern Hemisphere and the autumn tour (November) in Europe.

This annual competition would be held outside the World Cup years and shortened over the years with a British & Irish Lions tour. The Federations would be offered between £5-10m (€5.7-11.5m) to participate in the new competition, indicated The Times.

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