Global calendar: New 'two-division' international competition
NEWS: The game's major stakeholders took a big step in the right direction at a meeting in London this week - where they met to discuss the future global calendar.
World Rugby, in a statement on its website, said the meeting of minds group included international players, World Rugby, the British and Irish Lions, the major international competitions - including Six Nations and the Rugby Championship - along with the unions and professional leagues and competitions around the globe.
"The group continue to be united in their commitment to optimising the global calendars to prioritise player welfare, and accelerate global growth in content, opportunity, relevance and value by better aligning the annual domestic and international environments, also boosting player and fan experience," the statement said.
"Central to the development of the calendar is the optimising player release for players moving between the club and international environments, overall welfare optimisation including rest periods, and a greater level of clarity around fixtures for high-performance unions and emerging nations including with the Six Nations and SANZAAR teams.
"Planning includes the establishment of a two-division international competition the men’s game operating across the July and November windows outside of World Cup and British and Irish Lions years.
"All stakeholders are motivated by the opportunity for more teams to advance on the world stage, ultimately leading to more competitive World Cups.
"This mission is underpinned by the principle of promotion and relegation between the divisions, which reflects the vision of a global game.
"There is also a review of Regulation 9 - which will look to reflect the new calendar and address issues relating to the release of players for international matches."
World Rugby said much more work is required and is being driven towards decisions on the international global season structure being taken by the council at its interim meeting in Paris in October.