RFU Set to Ban Men's Athletes Signing with R360 Competition from International Duty
The Rugby Football Union is poised to announce that male players signing deals with the new R360 competition will be barred from playing for the national team, with a formal announcement anticipated as early as the coming week.
Breakaway League Faces Resistance from Traditional Rugby Authorities
Backed by Mike Tindall breakaway series has secured financial backing from private equity companies to launch a shortened competition in October next year, but the sport's traditional powerbrokers are lining up to oppose them.
The global players' association has told its players that it will not endorse the upcoming competition.
Our ambition is for every player to participate in R360 and still play internationally if chosen, which is why we have designed the series to not conflict with international windows.
Rugby Football Union Seeks Joint Response from Worldwide Unions
England's rugby body is understood to be advocating a coordinated stance from northern and southern hemisphere rugby associations, and has proposed a joint statement stating that all players joining R360 will not be selected for national team play.
However, a formal agreement is still pending.
Female League Stays Unclear as RFU Awaits Details
The governing body's position on the women's tournament is more ambiguous, as it has received contradictory details from R360 over its scheduling.
While the first competition is due to start in October next year, in 2027 a longer R360 is planned to start in April, overlapping with the premier women's rugby tournament.
England's rugby authority won't allow any of its 32 centrally contracted England women’s players to skip the Six Nations, but with R360 allegedly offering six-figure salaries to several Red Roses stars, an agreement could be reached if a clash is prevented.
Possible Division in Champion Squad Poses Significant Challenge
The potential for division among the coach's champion team creates a serious issue for the RFU, and the financial incentives available may force it to be more accommodating.
Inaugural R360 tournament the following year is scheduled to feature four women’s teams and eight men’s sides, with the opening games planned for October 2, 2026.
International Association Refuses to Support R360
The new league suffered further opposition when the global players' union (IPRA), which acts for top men’s and women’s players in the world, informed its members that it would not endorse the tournament.
While union officials held talks with R360 during the Lions tour recently, their statement to members described the discussions as a fact-finding mission.
Lately, multiple reports has been in the media about the proposed R360 league and we understand that more recently, a proposed draft detailed athlete agreement may have been shared by R360 to players and/or representatives.
While the players' association and IRPA members have had some discussions with R360 officials, these discussions have been centered on fact-finding to learn the specifics about the business model, the competition, its delivery and its interplay with the current rugby landscape.
Comprehensive details about the league remains unavailable and the competition does not at present have World Rugby regulatory approval.
Global Governing Body Sanction Still Awaited
The new competition is still awaiting approval by World Rugby, with reports indicating that it had withdrawn a planned application in September.
Plans are scheduled for resubmission in June next year, but sources have indicated that the competition will begin the following year regardless of whether they obtain formal approval.
Failure to combine joining the upcoming international league with an international career could have a major impact on R360's recruitment plans.
The organization is believed to have signed pre-contract agreements with over two hundred athletes, eighty percent of whom have represented their countries in the last 24 months.
