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Reuters

The idea of a new world club championship inched closer to becoming a reality as part of a new rugby union calendar, according to reports in the British media.
According to The Times, the Premiership, Pro 12, and the French Top 14 leagues are likely to finish in June, aligning with the Super Rugby season, enabling the best European clubs and their southern hemisphere counterparts to face off once every four years.
The Six Nations will not be moved from its traditional February to March slot, the report added.
“Discussions are positive, strong momentum is being generated and all stakeholders are focused on delivering a calendar that is to the benefit of the whole game by the end of the year,” a World rugby spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The summer tours are also likely to be scrapped the season after the 2019 Rugby World Cup to ensure sufficient rest and recovery time for international players.
England head coach Eddie Jones, however, does not expect colossal changes.
“We [Rugby Football Union] have had a number of discussions and obviously there are certain views we think are right for world rugby. I don’t think there are ever going to be massive changes in the schedule,” he said.
Emerging nations such as US and Japan will be given more regular international games, and the British and Irish Lions series will remain in the calendar, according to negotiations led by World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
The changes to the global calendar are expected to be tabled in the next council meeting in November, the reports said.


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Super Rugby

Global vision: rugby world club cup nearing a possibility with European and southern hemisphere calendars set to align

New Zealand's Hurricanes celebrate victory in the Super Rugby final last month. Photo: AFP

Rugby Union - Saracens v Racing 92 - European Rugby Champions Cup Final - Grand Stade de Lyon, France - 14/5/16 Saracens' Brad Barritt lifts the trophy as he celebrates winning the European Rugby Champions Cup Final with teammates Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Sport

Rugby

The idea would see the best northern and southern hemisphere clubs face off once every four years


The idea of a new world club championship inched closer to becoming a reality as part of a new rugby union calendar, according to reports in the British media.


Six Nations Championship