Rugby’s tier two nations reiterate plea for more games against elite teams

Rugby’s tier two nations have again reiterated their plea for more games against the game’s elite with talks over a new world league being held this week.

Representatives from rugby’s leading nations are in London to discuss, among other things, the extension of the autumn window from three to four weeks and the possible shortening of the Six Nations from seven to six weeks. 

Moving the Rugby Championship is also under consideration. It all forms part of plans to create a new world league which would begin in 2026 and include the six countries from the Six Nations plus New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina. 

Japan and Fiji are likely to complete the 12-team competition, meaning there will be no place for the likes of Georgia, Samoa, Tonga or the USA. 

Critics say a new world league will hinder the potential growth of developing nations such as Georgia, who beat both Wales and Italy in 2022. Georgia’s Under-20 side also claimed an impressive victory over England this summer. 

Georgia Rugby president Soso Tkemaladze has claimed that ‘futher development’ is needed 

‘We have faith World Rugby will bring in developments that are beneficial for the game as a whole and further its development globally,’ Georgia Rugby president Soso Tkemaladze told MailSport. 

‘From a Georgian perspective what we need is further, faster development. Everybody in the game has witnessed our progress over the last few years. 

‘Our victories over Wales and Italy and the recent successes of our Under-20’s send a strong message that when we are granted opportunities, we are good enough to take them. 

‘We are loyal team players and grateful to World Rugby for the support we have been given. What’s clear now is we need more games against tier one opposition. 

‘That is what we expect and we trust the institution to deliver.’ While Georgia are respectful of World Rugby’s plans, their representatives weren’t even invited to the London talks.

Under World Rugby’s new plans, the world league will see teams from the northern hemisphere play different opponents in the south during the July Test window. It means an end to traditional two or three Test tours of one country. 

The fixtures would then be replicated in the north during November. Countries such as Georgia and Samoa would participate in a second division tournament, but the reality of the proposals is that they will be playing far less games against the best on the planet than the meagre number they get already. 

Sources from a number of tier two nations have indicated to MailSport that while World Rugby has constantly preached about growing the game globally, the world league proposals do not help their development. There is frustration and anger at a lack of opportunity. 

International Rugby Players chief and former New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has previously aired his concerns over the sport’s future plans

Also on the discussion table this week are negotiations surrounding World Rugby’s regulation nine which governs player release for international matches. With proposals for more Test rugby on the table, there is a concern over player welfare at a time when the sport is battling a number of safety issues – chief among them a concussion crisis. 

International Rugby Players chief and former New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has already aired his concerns over rugby’s future plans. 

‘There is so much to think about and the domestic leagues come into this as well,’ former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton told MailSport. 

‘You can have those games, but if you do then you also have to reduce the domestic season. 

Former Welsh international Sam Warburton has called on World Rugby to reinvest money into the sport to help second tier nations

‘No more than 25 starts should be the limit for any player in a season. The proposals are good for the game commercially. The game obviously needs the money. 

‘We have to trust that World Rugby have done their due diligence on this and that the money that’s going to come in will be beneficial for the game. 

‘What I would love them to announce is how much of that money is going to be used to develop nations like Georgia, Samoa and Tonga. 

‘I know they maybe don’t have the same commercial value as other countries but they also have some of the most talented players on the planet.’ 

*Sam Warbuton is a Canterbury ambassador. Sam was speaking as Canterbury and The British & Irish Lions extend their partnership for the 2025 tour of Australia.