6 Nations
2019/20 Season Fixtures & Results
2019/20 Season Fixtures.
Gallagher Premiership
Round 1
Fri 18 Oct Bristol 43-16 Bath
Sat 19 Oct Exeter 22-19 Harlequins
Sat 19 Oct Sale 16-18 Gloucester
Sat 19 Oct Saracens 25-27 Northampton
Sat 19 Oct Worcester 24-16 Leicester
Sun 20 Oct Wasps 26-29 London Irish
Round 2
Fri 25 Oct Bath 13-10 Exeter
Sat 26 Oct Northampton 35-16 Worcester
Sat 26 Oct Gloucester 25-9 Wasps
Sat 26 Oct Harlequins 22-17 Bristol
Sat 26 Oct London Irish 7-41 Sale
Sun 27 Oct Leicester 10-24 Saracens
Round 3
Fri 1 Nov Northampton v Harlequins (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Fri 1 Nov Bristol v Sale (7.45pm)
Sat 2 Nov Leicester v Gloucester (3pm, BT Sport)
Sat 2 Nov Saracens v London Irish (3pm)
Sat 2 Nov Wasps v Bath (3pm)
Sun 3 Nov Worcester v Exeter (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 4
Fri 8 Nov Sale v Wasps (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Sat 9 Nov Bath v Northampton (3pm)
Sat 9 Nov Gloucester v Saracens (3pm, BT Sport)
Sat 9 Nov Harlequins v Worcester (3pm)
Sun 10 Nov London Irish v Leicester (2.30pm)
Sun 10 Nov Exeter v Bristol (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 5
Fri 29 Nov Bath v Saracens (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Sat 30 Nov Exeter v Wasps (3pm)
Sat 30 Nov Northampton v Leicester (3pm, BT Sport)
Sat 30 Nov Worcester v Sale (3pm)
Sun 1 Dec Bristol v London Irish (3pm)
Sun 1 Dec Harlequins v Gloucester (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 6
Fri 20 Dec Gloucester v Worcester (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Sat 21 Dec Leicester v Exeter (3pm, BT Sport)
Sat 21 Dec Sale v Northampton (3pm)
Sat 21 Dec Saracens v Bristol (3pm)
Sat 21 Dec Wasps v Harlequins (3pm)
Sun 22 Dec London Irish v Bath (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 7
Fri 27 Dec Bristol v Wasps (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Sat 28 Dec Northampton v Gloucester (2pm, BT Sport)
Sat 28 Dec Bath v Sale (3pm)
Sat 28 Dec Worcester v London Irish (3pm)
Sat 28 Dec Harlequins v Leicester (4.30pm, Twickenham Stadium, BT Sport)
Sun 29 Dec Exeter v Saracens (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 8
Fri 3 Jan Sale v Harlequins (7.45pm, BT Sport)
Sat 4 Jan Gloucester v Bath (3pm, BT Sport)
Sat 4 Jan Leicester v Bristol (3pm)
Sat 4 Jan Saracens v Worcester (3pm)
Sun 5 Jan London Irish v Exeter (2.30pm)
Sun 5 Jan Wasps v Northampton (3pm, BT Sport)
Round 9
24-26 Jan Bath v Leicester
24-26 Jan Bristol v Gloucester
24-26 Jan Exeter v Sale
24-26 Jan Harlequins v Saracens
24-26 Jan Northampton v London Irish
24-26 Jan Worcester v Wasps
Round 10
14-16 Feb Gloucester v Exeter
14-16 Feb Harlequins v London Irish
14-16 Feb Leicester v Wasps
14-16 Feb Northampton v Bristol
14-16 Feb Saracens v Sale
14-16 Feb Worcester v Bath
Round 11
21-23 Feb Bath v Harlequins
21-23 Feb Bristol v Worcester
21-23 Feb Exeter v Northampton
21-23 Feb London Irish v Gloucester
21-23 Feb Sale v Leicester
21-23 Feb Wasps v Saracens
Round 12
28 Feb-1 Mar Bath v Bristol
28 Feb-1 Mar Gloucester v Sale
28 Feb-1 Mar Harlequins v Exeter
28 Feb-1 Mar Leicester v Worcester
28 Feb-1 Mar London Irish v Wasps
28 Feb-1 Mar Northampton v Saracens
Round 13
6-8 Mar Bristol v Harlequins
6-8 Mar Exeter v Bath
6-8 Mar Sale v London Irish
6-8 Mar Saracens v Leicester
6-8 Mar Wasps v Gloucester
6-8 Mar Worcester v Northampton
Round 14
20-22 Mar Bath v London Irish
20-22 Mar Bristol v Saracens
20-22 Mar Exeter v Leicester
20-22 Mar Harlequins v Sale
20-22 Mar Northampton v Wasps
20-22 Mar Worcester v Gloucester
Round 15
27-29 Mar Gloucester v Bristol
27-29 Mar Leicester v Bath
27-29 Mar London Irish v Northampton
27-29 Mar Sale v Exeter
27-29 Mar Saracens v Harlequins (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
27-29 Mar Wasps v Worcester
Round 16
10-12 Apr Bristol v Exeter
10-12 Apr Leicester v London Irish
10-12 Apr Northampton v Bath
10-12 Apr Saracens v Gloucester
10-12 Apr Wasps v Sale
10-12 Apr Worcester v Harlequins
Round 17
17-19 Apr Bath v Wasps
17-19 Apr Exeter v Worcester
17-19 Apr Gloucester v Leicester
17-19 Apr Harlequins v Northampton
17-19 Apr London Irish v Saracens
17-19 Apr Sale v Bristol
Round 18
24-26 Apr Gloucester v London Irish
24-26 Apr Harlequins v Bath
24-26 Apr Leicester v Sale
24-26 Apr Northampton v Exeter
24-26 Apr Saracens v Wasps
24-26 Apr Worcester v Bristol
Round 19
8-10 May Bath v Worcester
8-10 May Bristol v Northampton
8-10 May Exeter v Gloucester
8-10 May London Irish v Harlequins
8-10 May Sale v Saracens
8-10 May Wasps v Leicester
Round 20
15-17 May Gloucester v Harlequins
15-17 May Leicester v Northampton
15-17 May London Irish v Worcester
15-17 May Sale v Bath
15-17 May Saracens v Exeter
15-17 May Wasps v Bristol
Round 21
29-31 May Bath v Gloucester
29-31 May Bristol v Leicester
29-31 May Exeter v London Irish
29-31 May Harlequins v Wasps
29-31 May Northampton v Sale
29-31 May Worcester v Saracens
Round 22
Sat 6 Jun Gloucester v Northampton
Sat 6 Jun Leicester v Harlequins
Sat 6 Jun London Irish v Bristol
Sat 6 Jun Sale v Worcester
Sat 6 Jun Saracens v Bath
Sat 6 Jun Wasps v Exeter
Semi-finals
12-13 June
Final
Sat 20 Jun (Twickenham Stadium)
Guinness PRO14
Round 1
Fri 27 Sep Cheetahs 48-14 Glasgow
Fri 27 Sep Ulster 38-14 Ospreys
Sat 28 Sep Munster 39-9 Dragons
Sat 28 Sep Southern Kings 27-31 Cardiff Blues
Sat 28 Sep Scarlets 18-10 Connacht
Sat 28 Sep Benetton 27-32 Leinster
Sat 28 Sep Edinburgh 50-15 Zebre
Round 2
Fri 4 Oct Glasgow 21-25 Scarlets
Fri 4 Oct Leinster 53-5 Ospreys
Sat 5 Oct Southern Kings 20-31 Munster
Sat 5 Oct Cardiff Blues 11-19 Edinburgh
Sat 5 Oct Zebre 28-52 Dragons
Sat 5 Oct Cheetahs 63-26 Ulster
Sat 5 Oct Connacht 41-5 Benetton
Round 3
Fri 11 Oct Dragons 14-38 Connacht
Fri 11 Oct Leinster 40-14 Edinburgh
Sat 12 Oct Scarlets 54-10 Zebre
Sat 12 Oct Southern Kings 17-42 Ulster
Sat 12 Oct Cheetahs 40-16 Munster
Sat 12 Oct Glasgow 17-13 Cardiff Blues
Sat 12 Oct Ospreys 24-20 Benetton
Round 4
Fri 25 Oct Munster v Ospreys (7.35pm)
Fri 25 Oct Ulster v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm)
Sat 26 Oct Dragons v Glasgow (3pm)
Sat 26 Oct Benetton v Southern Kings (4pm)
Sat 26 Oct Connacht v Cheetahs (5.15pm)
Sat 26 Oct Zebre v Leinster (6.15pm)
Sat 26 Oct Edinburgh v Scarlets (7.35pm)
Round 5
Fri 1 Nov Glasgow v Southern Kings (7.35pm)
Fri 1 Nov Leinster v Dragons (7.35pm)
Fri 1 Nov Ulster v Zebre (7.35pm)
Sat 2 Nov Scarlets v Cheetahs (3pm)
Sat 2 Nov Ospreys v Connacht (5.15pm)
Sat 2 Nov Benetton v Edinburgh (6.15pm)
Sat 2 Nov Cardiff Blues v Munster (7.35pm)
Round 6
Fri 8 Nov Connacht v Leinster (7.35pm)
Fri 8 Nov Edinburgh v Dragons (7.35pm)
Sat 9 Nov Ospreys v Southern Kings (3pm)
Sat 9 Nov Zebre v Glasgow (4pm)
Sat 9 Nov Cardiff Blues v Cheetahs (5.15pm)
Sat 9 Nov Munster v Ulster (5.15pm)
Sat 9 Nov Scarlets v Benetton (7.35pm)
Round 7
Fri 29 Nov Munster v Edinburgh (7.35pm)
Fri 29 Nov Ulster v Scarlets (7.35pm)
Sat 30 Nov Benetton v Cardiff Blues (4pm)
Sat 30 Nov Connacht v Southern Kings (5.15pm)
Sat 30 Nov Dragons v Zebre (5.15pm)
Sat 30 Nov Glasgow v Leinster (7.35pm)
Sat 30 Nov Ospreys v Cheetahs (7.35pm)
Round 8
Fri 20 Dec Leinster v Ulster (7.35pm)
Sat 21 Dec Zebre v Benetton (4pm)
Sat 21 Dec Connacht v Munster (5.15pm)
Sat 21 Dec Dragons v Scarlets (5.15pm)
Sat 21 Dec Glasgow v Edinburgh (5.45pm)
Sat 21 Dec Ospreys v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm)
Round 9
Thu 26 Dec Cardiff Blues v Dragons (3pm)
Thu 26 Dec Scarlets v Ospreys (5.15pm)
Fri 27 Dec Ulster v Connacht (7.35pm)
Sat 28 Dec Benetton v Zebre (2pm)
Sat 28 Dec Edinburgh v Glasgow (3pm)
Sat 28 Dec Munster v Leinster (6pm)
Round 10
Fri 3 Jan Cardiff Blues v Scarlets (7.35pm)
Fri 3 Jan Ulster v Munster (7.35pm)
Sat 4 Jan Benetton v Glasgow (2pm)
Sat 4 Jan Dragons v Ospreys (3pm)
Sat 4 Jan Zebre v Cheetahs (4pm)
Sat 4 Jan Leinster v Connacht (5.30pm)
Sat 4 Jan Edinburgh v Southern Kings (7.45pm)
Round 8
Sat 25 Jan Southern Kings v Cheetahs (kick-off tbc)
Round 9
Sat 1 Feb Cheetahs v Southern Kings (kick-off tbc)
Round 11
Fri 14 Feb Glasgow v Zebre (7.35pm)
Fri 14 Feb Munster v Southern Kings (7.35pm)
Sat 15 Feb Leinster v Cheetahs (2.30pm)
Sat 15 Feb Scarlets v Edinburgh (3pm)
Sat 15 Feb Ospreys v Ulster (5.15pm)
Sat 15 Feb Connacht v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm)
Sat 15 Feb Dragons v Benetton (7.35pm)
Round 12
Fri 21 Feb Edinburgh v Connacht (7.35pm)
Fri 21 Feb Ospreys v Leinster (7.35pm)
Fri 21 Feb Zebre v Munster (8.35pm)
Sat 22 Feb Glasgow v Dragons (7.35pm)
Sat 22 Feb Ulster v Cheetahs (7.35pm)
Sun 23 Feb Cardiff Blues v Benetton (5.15pm)
Sun 23 Feb Scarlets v Southern Kings (5.15pm)
Round 13
Fri 28 Feb Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm)
Fri 28 Feb Leinster v Glasgow (7.35pm)
Sat 29 Feb Zebre v Ospreys (2pm)
Sat 29 Feb Benetton v Ulster (4pm)
Sat 29 Feb Munster v Scarlets (5pm)
Sat 29 Feb Dragons v Cheetahs (5.15pm)
Sun 1 Mar Southern Kings v Connacht (3pm)
Round 14
Fri 20 Mar Connacht v Scarlets (7.35pm)
Fri 20 Mar Ulster v Dragons (7.35pm)
Sat 21 Mar Cardiff Blues v Zebre (3pm)
Sat 21 Mar Southern Kings v Edinburgh (3pm)
Sat 21 Mar Cheetahs v Leinster (5pm)
Sat 21 Mar Ospreys v Glasgow (5.15pm)
Sat 21 Mar Benetton v Munster (6.15pm)
Round 15
Fri 27 Mar Southern Kings v Leinster (7.15pm)
Fri 27 Mar Glasgow v Ulster (7.35pm)
Fri 27 Mar Munster v Benetton (7.35pm)
Sat 28 Mar Scarlets v Dragons (3pm)
Sat 28 Mar Cheetahs v Edinburgh (5pm)
Sat 28 Mar Cardiff Blues v Ospreys (5.15pm)
Sat 28 Mar Zebre v Connacht (6.15pm)
Round 16
Fri 10 Apr Connacht v Glasgow (7.35pm)
Fri 10 Apr Edinburgh v Benetton (7.35pm)
Sat 11 Apr Munster v Cardiff Blues (3pm)
Sat 11 Apr Southern Kings v Scarlets (4pm)
Sat 11 Apr Leinster v Zebre (5.15pm)
Sat 11 Apr Cheetahs v Ospreys (6.15pm)
Sat 11 Apr Dragons v Ulster (7.35pm)
Round 17
Fri 17 Apr Glasgow v Cheetahs (7.35pm)
Fri 17 Apr Benetton v Connacht (8.05pm)
Sat 18 Apr Ospreys v Dragons (3pm, Principality Stadium)
Sat 18 Apr Zebre v Southern Kings (4pm)
Sat 18 Apr Scarlets v Cardiff Blues (5.15pm, Principality Stadium)
Sat 18 Apr Leinster v Munster (5.30pm)
Sat 18 Apr Ulster v Edinburgh (7.45pm)
Round 18
Fri 24 Apr Benetton v Scarlets (7.05pm)
Fri 24 Apr Dragons v Leinster (7.35pm)
Fri 24 Apr Edinburgh v Ospreys (7.35pm)
Sat 25 Apr Cheetahs v Zebre (4pm)
Sat 25 Apr Munster v Glasgow (5.15pm)
Sat 25 Apr Cardiff Blues v Southern Kings (7.35pm)
Sat 25 Apr Connacht v Ulster (7.35pm)
Round 19
Fri 8 May Cardiff Blues v Connacht (7.35pm)
Fri 8 May Ulster v Glasgow (7.35pm)
Sat 9 May Cheetahs v Dragons (2pm)
Sat 9 May Cheetahs v Zebre (4pm)
Sat 9 May Ospreys v Zebre (5.15pm)
Sat 9 May Edinburgh v Munster (5.30pm)
Sat 9 May Scarlets v Leinster (7.45pm)
Round 20
Fri 15 May Glasgow v Ospreys (7.35pm)
Fri 15 May Leinster v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm)
Sat 16 May Southern Kings v Dragons (4pm)
Sat 16 May Zebre v Ulster (4pm)
Sat 16 May Scarlets v Munster (5.15pm)
Sat 16 May Cheetahs v Benetton (6.15pm)
Sat 16 May Connacht v Edinburgh (7.35pm)
Round 21
Fri 29 May Benetton v Zebre (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Dragons v Cardiff Blues (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Edinburgh v Glasgow (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Southern Kings v Cheetahs (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Munster v Connacht (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Ospreys v Scarlets (kick-off tbc)
Fri 29 May Ulster v Leinster (kick-off tbc)
Play-offs and semi-finals
Dates to be confirmed.
Final
Sat 20 June, Cardiff City Stadium
Six Nations Fixtures 2020
Kick-off times are in GMT.
Round 1
Sat 1 February, Wales v Italy, Principality Stadium, BBC, 2.15pm
Sat 1 February, Ireland v Scotland, Aviva Stadium, ITV, 4.45pm
Sun 2 February, France v England, BBC, 3pm
Round 2
Sat 8 February, Ireland v Wales, Aviva Stadium, ITV, 2.15pm
Sat 8 February, Scotland v England, BT Murrayfield, BBC, 4.45pm
Sun 9 February, France v Italy, BBC, 3pm
Round 3
Sat 22 February, Italy v Scotland, ITV, 2.15pm
Sat 22 February, Wales v France, Principality Stadium, BBC, 4.45pm
Sun 23 February, England v Ireland, Twickenham, ITV, 3pm
Round 4
Sat 7 March, Ireland v Italy, Aviva Stadium, ITV, 2.15pm
Sat 7 March, England v Wales, Twickenham, ITV, 4.45pm
Sun 8 March, Scotland v France, BT Murrayfield, BBC, 3pm
Round 5
Sat 14 March, Wales v Scotland, Principality Stadium, BBC, 2.15pm
Sat 14 March, Italy v England, ITV, 4.45pm
Sat 14 March, France v Ireland, BBC, 8pm
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm the signing of Oli Jager from the Crusaders with the tighthead prop signing a contract until the summer of 2027.
Hooker Eoghan Clarke is rejoining Munster on a short-term contract with back three player Colm Hogan also returning on a short-term deal.
Jager will join the province in the coming weeks with his contract beginning at the start of December.
Born in London, Jager started out at Naas RFC before playing schools rugby at Newbridge College and Blackrock College. He lined out for the Ireland U18 Schools team in 2013 before moving to Canterbury in New Zealand at the age of 17.
Initially attending the Crusaders International High Performance Unit, he earned a place in the Crusaders Academy in 2014. After impressing with New Brighton RFC, he earned a place in the Canterbury squad for the Mitre 10 Cup in 2016.
Jager made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2017 and has been a key member of their squad for the past seven years, winning seven consecutive Super Rugby titles.
Eoghan Clarke spent three years in the Munster Academy before departing for Jersey Reds in March 2021. A former Ireland U20 international, Clarke won the English Championship with Jersey Reds last season before the club went into liquidation last month.
Colm Hogan, who has lined out for Ireland U20 and Munster A in the past, played his schools rugby with Glenstal Abbey. He captained Dublin University in the AIL and also had a spell with Colomiers in the PRO D2 while studying in France.
The 26-year-old played for Leinster against Chile last year and lined out with recent Munster arrival Alex Nankivell for Tasman Mako in the NPC this year.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Andy Farrell has been named Coach of the Year and five Irish players included in the Men’s Dream Team at a star studded World Rugby Awards Ceremony tonight. Former International Referee David McHugh was also honoured on the night with the World Rugby Referee Award.
Just hours after South Africa defeated the All Blacks to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for an historic fourth time at Stade de France, the victorious team reunited to open the spectacular 90-minute show, held at the breathtaking Opéra Garnier in the heart of Paris.
Farrell was named World Rugby Coach of the Year, recognising his achievement in leading Ireland’s to a Six Nations Grand Slam and top spot in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini for 15 months.
Head Coach Andy Farrell and Dan Sheehan – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Speaking about the award Andy Farrell said, “I would like to thank World Rugby for this recognition and congratulate the other nominees for their efforts this year. Coaching is a demanding and hugely rewarding profession, with many highs and lows, and in accepting this award, I would like to pay tribute to the players and wider coaching and support staff who work tirelessly to bring success to Irish rugby.
I am incredibly proud to work with such a talented and committed group. This award is recognition for all those involved in Irish rugby and our incredible supporters who travel near and far to support us. I am honoured to accept this award on their behalf.”
Four nations are represented in the Dream Team with Rugby World Cup 2023 hosts France and Ireland claiming five players apiece, New Zealand four and World Champions South Africa one.
Three Irish forwards made the team with Dan Sheehan, Tadgh Furlong and Caelan Doris included. In the backline Bundee Aki, who was shortlisted for Player of the Year, and his centre partner Garry Ringrose were named.
Ireland’s Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
McHugh was given the World Rugby Referee award in recognition of his dedication and contribution to the game of rugby which spans more than 20 years, from his decade as an international referee taking charge of 28 tests. He officiated at three Rugby World Cups between 1995 and 2003, and has acted as a mentor for the next generations of match officials, including the likes of Joy Neville and John Lacey in Ireland and Nika Amashukeli in Georgia.
Of the 11 awards presented in Paris, nine were selected by the star-studded World Rugby Awards panels, while the International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year was decided by a fan vote on social media.
Nominees and winners in a further four women’s categories will be announced and celebrated separately, at the conclusion of the ongoing WXV tournament.
Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong and Caelan Doris and Italy’s Michele Lamaro – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
World Rugby Men’s XVs Dream Team
1. Cyril Baille (France) 2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) 5. Scott Barrett (New Zealand) 6. Caelan Doris (Ireland) 7. Charles Ollivon (France) 8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 9. Antoine Dupont (France) 10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand) 11. Will Jordan (New Zealand) 12. Bundee Aki (Ireland) 13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland) 14. Damian Penaud (France) 15. Thomas Ramos (France).
World Rugby Award Winners
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard – Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Andy Farrell (Ireland)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor – Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC – Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – David McHugh (Ireland)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – George Nijaradze (Georgia)
Rugby for All Award – SOS Kit Aid
International Rugby Players Special Merit Award – John Smit (South Africa)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees: Daniel Carter (New Zealand), Thierry Dusautoir (France), George Smith (Australia), Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina), Bryan Habana (South Africa).
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
The World Rugby Council has approved transformational reform of the global men’s and women’s rugby calendars, a seminal moment for the sport that marks a new era of opportunity, certainty and growth for the game, a fitting finale to its 200th birthday year.
Reform of Regulation 9 governing international player release has paved the way for the global club and international game to complement each other with clearly defined windows of release for international duties, as well as enhanced player welfare outcomes in the form of Player Load Guidelines.
Shaped through close collaboration with the players and stakeholders from across the whole sport, including domestic and international competitions, regions, unions, the adjustments have been driven by a game-wide commitment to prioritise player welfare while supporting desired competitiveness increases across performance unions.
In the women’s game, the decision means clearly defined global and regional player release periods for the first time with no domestic competition overlap, opening the way to a harmonious structure that promotes opportunity and growth ahead of an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025.
In the men’s game, new competition structures coupled with an increased level of cross-over fixtures between the high performance and performance unions, will deliver long-term certainty of content for the first time, supporting increases in competitiveness, interest and value ahead of a landmark Rugby World Cup in the USA in 2031.
Together, these developments crucially allow for better management of player load and overall welfare in the game, with the development of new Player Load Guidelines and ongoing expert input to oversee the development and evolution of the guidelines working with all stakeholders.
First-ever global calendar for women’s rugby with dedicated release windows
- First-ever dedicated international release windows (regional release window of seven weeks and global release window of eight weeks) from 2025.
- Clarity of release periods for club/league and cross-border competitions, to allow certainty of planning and investment.
- A commitment to more effectively manage player load and welfare in the fast-evolving women’s game, working with all stakeholders
- A framework to review the women’s global calendar and international competition structures on an ongoing basis to recognise that fast-evolving environment and opportunity.
First-ever global calendar for men’s rugby with new competitions and increased opportunity
- Establishment of an enhanced global calendar for men’s rugby with clearer international windows, including confirmation of the release window for Rugby World Cup 2027 (Australia).
- Expansion of Rugby World Cup to 24 teams in 2027, providing more qualification opportunities for more teams and regional competitions.
- Launch of a bi-annual new international competition from 2026, comprising a top division of 12 teams (Six Nations unions, SANZAAR unions and two further unions to be selected via a process run by SANZAAR), and a second division run by World Rugby of 12 teams with promotion and relegation commencing from 2030. Played in the July and November international release windows, it will provide crucial opportunities (and certainty of fixtures) for unions currently outside of the existing annual competitions, and in turn provide opportunities for unions and regional associations through to the second division.
- The competition provides players and fans with compelling matches, to build audiences and value for all.
- A significant uplift in the number of cross-over matches between unions in the respective divisions are included in the global calendar in the two other years, providing performance nations with annual competition certainty against high performance unions.
- Launch of new annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024, featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and USA with home fixtures and Japan and USA alternating as finals hosts, guaranteeing a minimum of three additional matches a year in addition to the new international competition and cross-over fixtures.
- The global men’s calendar provides additional clarity for elite league and cross-border club competitions, supporting value growth investment opportunities for all.
The reform follows extensive consultation with the professional game, including regions, unions, domestic and international competitions, and detailed evaluation of the playing, commercial and fan landscape. Implementation of the agreed package will continue to involve dialogue with all parties.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “It is fitting that we finish Rugby World Cup 2023, the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness, with the sport’s greatest feat of togetherness. Agreement on the men’s and women’s global calendars and their content is the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional. An historic moment for our sport that sets us up collectively for success.
“We now look forward to an exciting new era for our sport commencing in 2025 (women) and 2026 (men). An era that will bring certainty and opportunity for all. An era that will support the many, not the few, and an era that will supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their spirit of collaboration. Today, we have achieved something special.”
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Peter O’Mahony Steps Down After Over 10 Years As Munster Captain
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Leinster In Dublin
