Rugby: a new global league with 12 teams from the northern & southern hemispheres from 2026 (press)

Six Nations Rugby, organisers of the 6 Nations tournament, and SANZAAR, the organising body of the Rugby Championship, are reportedly in the process of creating a world rugby league between the nations of the northern and southern hemispheres, according to the British daily The Telegraph on 20/03/2023.

The new competition, which would involve two groups of six teams from each hemisphere, could begin in 2026 and would be held in even-numbered years in July and November, according to The Telegraph. The northern hemisphere would include the Six Nations teams (France, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy), while the southern hemisphere would include the four Rugby Championship nations (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina) plus Fiji and Japan. The Six Nations, the Rugby Championship and the British and Irish Lions tour would continue in their current formats.

Details of the new league could be unveiled shortly ahead of the 2023 World Cup, which begins with France - New Zealand at the Stade de France (Paris, FRA) on Friday 08/09/2023.

A "grand final" between the top team…