Some reports claim that players in South Africa have been offered contracts equivalent to €850,000.
Rugby could be about to get its first break away franchise competition, similar to golf’s LIV with several top players being reported to have signed up for a 14-week event that could start in 2026.
As reported in The Times, The Telegraph and the Daily Mail, it is believed that the organisers of the franchise will take inspiration from Formula One and have the competition travel around the globe.
According to The Independent, the discussions for the proposed tournament are at a very early stage, with organisers said to have substantial financial backing as they look to reinvent the club game for both men’s and women’s teams.
The rumours surrounding the tournament come just a day after World Rugby elected a new chair, Brett Robinson.
The Australian has made it clear that he hopes to expand the game’s global appeal, saying: “Our purpose as an organisation is to grow this great game of ours globally.
“(World Rugby chief executive) Alan (Gilpin) and the team have worked really hard on that over many, many years.
“And that is through being courageous enough to make decisions about where we do and don’t invest our efforts to maximize the opportunity for growth – whether that be into markets itself, whether it be into the women’s game, whether it be into the (Rugby) Sevens product.
“It is at the heart of the investment we make as a game – and we are unashamedly here to support the growth of our game.”
Rugby Revolution.
Speaking to BBC Sport prior to his election he revealed that he is not against major teams playing games in different locations to help grow the game.
He said: “It is not a new thing to be taking major matches to new countries or other venues to generate interest and revenue.
“If we don’t get on with it, we will miss the opportunity. So I would push us to get moving.
“In most of our core markets, particularly in the northern hemisphere, the growth opportunities are not as significant for the game as they are potentially in other parts of the world.”
There have also been reports from South Africa which suggest that top players in the country have been offered deals worth up to €850,000 with festival-style events in major global cities suggested.
According to the Daily Mail, a streamlined schedule has been offered to players, which has been a growing issue as top stars in the game have grown tired with an overloaded match schedule.
Those behind the new initiative will have their work cut out for them as they face legal battles to prise players from their current teams, as well as potentially leaving players with the dilemma of deciding on their international commitments.
World Rugby itself will also be a barrier as it would be expected that they would attempt to block the franchise coming to fruition.
