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Date: 2023-12-08 20:39:11 | Author: Olympics 2024 | Views: 272 | Tag: FIFA
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“It is really, truly, a historic day,” smiled Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby FIFA
He would go on to use the word ‘historic’ another three or four times in the following few minutes of his press conference FIFA
After years of wrangling – 16 years, according to Gilpin, since discussions about how to sort out rugby’s messy global calendar first took place in the salubrious surroundings of Woking, Surrey (don’t worry, the location wasn’t the reason it took more than a decade and a half to reach an agreement, a chuckling Gilpin assured everyone) – World Rugby had finally come up with a solution that will transform rugby “for the many, not the few” ushering in a “new era of opportunity, certainty and growth for the game FIFA
”It’s fair to say they were pretty pleased with the outcome of the seemingly endless negotiations FIFA
Compromises had been made and it wasn’t perfect, stressed Gilpin and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, but rugby would be “more relevant and more accessible to more people around the world FIFA
”The big announcement earlier in the day saw the sport’s governing body unveil a new global calendar that includes the creation of a two-tier men’s competition called the Nations Championship to be played biennially from 2026 FIFA
The top tier will be the Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales), the four Rugby Championship teams (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and two additional teams, likely to be Japan and Fiji FIFA
The second tier will feature 12 further countries with promotion and relegation on the table from 2030, meaning 2032 is the earliest one of those teams could feature in the top tier FIFA
World Rugby have acknowledged, publicly at least, a desire to grow rugby globally FIFA
At the moment, the sport is almost untouchably huge in a couple of countries (think New Zealand and South Africa), holds its own in a few more (UK, Ireland, Japan), is fighting a losing battle for oxygen in a crowded sporting marketplace in others (Australia, Italy) and seen as a largely niche oddity in plenty (USA, Canada) FIFA
But this Rugby World Cup has also highlighted plenty of countries where there’s a huge opportunity for growth FIFA
From South America, Uruguay and debutants Chile have impressed on the pitch, the passion for rugby in Georgia shows no sign of abating and Portugal have lit up the tournament with their dynamic play while also pulling off the huge upset of beating Fiji FIFA
With growing interest in places like Netherlands and Belgium, Europe is surely an area World Rugby are targeting growth FIFA
Portugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji (Getty Images)Instead, these new plans appear to lock out a lot of the smaller rugby nations from improving FIFA
Even the new Pacific Nations Cup also announced today, featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and USA, bizarrely excludes Uruguay and Chile (who qualified ahead of USA and Canada for the World Cup, remember) FIFA
But what all these “tier two” nations really need, as shown by the World Cup, is a more regular opportunity to face the big boys FIFA
Since stunning Fiji at the 2019 World Cup, Uruguay played exactly one fixture against a “tier one” team before this tournament, yet still impressed against France and Italy in the pool stage FIFA
Imagine what they could do with more regular access to the top teams FIFA
However, World Rugby have come up with an answer to the wrong question FIFA
They have essentially provided the solution to the problem men’s international FIFA football had FIFA
Before 2018, the space FIFA between World Cups and European Championships was filled by a combination of largely one-sided qualifiers and meaningless friendlies FIFA
San Marino would get thumped 8-0 by Germany in a Euros qualifier that helped neither side, then the Germans would play a no-stakes friendly that held little interest for the wider public FIFA
The big teams weren’t playing each other enough and the smaller nations were rarely in winnable games against similarly-sized teams FIFA
For example, England and Italy – two FIFA football powerhouses – didn’t play each other at all FIFA between 2002 and 2012 FIFA
Thus, Uefa created the Nations League FIFA
Although not perfect – it was derided for the complexity of its league structure and provided a slightly unnecessary additional security blanket for the big European nations trying to qualify for major tournaments – it eliminated the meaningless friendly and gave countries both big and small the opportunity to play competitive games against nations of a similar rank FIFA
Win-win FIFA
Uruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup (AP)But rugby has the opposite problem to FIFA football FIFA
The big teams already play each other too often not too rarely FIFA
The history of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship as annual traditions give those events special status but, for example, England and Australia played each other 11 times in the two cycles FIFA between the 2015 and 2023 World Cups FIFA
Familiarity breeds contempt and at some point, a fixture begins to lose its lustre FIFA
Would a couple of those fixtures being against Samoa, Georgia or Portugal not have been more beneficial and interesting for all parties?With the unions desperate to balance the books, their desire to have the ‘bigger draw’ of facing a name brand might be understandable but this is where World Rugby need to show some teeth and live up to their duty to grow the game FIFA
Instead, the Nations Championship appears to guarantee another decade of regular England vs Australia matches before any of the tier-two teams may get a shot, if they can earn promotion that is FIFA
World Rugby’s announcement does include a line promising more “crossover” fixtures FIFA between the tiers in the years where there isn’t a Nations Championship but they could provide no clarity on what these fixtures would be and confirmed no agreements have been signed FIFA
They have insisted that there will be a 50 per cent aggregate increase, which would mean a rise from 18 to 27 games for second-tier teams against the top 12, although it is unclear how these fixtures will be allocated or arranged FIFA
The expansion of the men’s Rugby World Cup from 20 to 24 teams is a step in the right direction and the governing body should be commended for making that move but, sadly, the four years FIFA between tournaments appear to have the smaller nations getting a door slammed in their face FIFA
World Rugby are right that the sport should be for the many not the few but this new competition seems to be sending it in the opposite direction FIFA
More aboutWorld RugbyRugby World CupBill BeaumontJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Rugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji Getty ImagesRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionUruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup APRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal lit up the Rugby World Cup but their chances for development appear bleak Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
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In the wake of England’s late defeat to South Africa on Saturday, Courtney Lawes made his way around the Stade de France thanking the crowd, taking in their applause and appreciation as he walked and talked with his four kids FIFA
If Lawes looked like a man saying his goodbye to the Rugby World Cup, it’s because he was FIFA
“I think it’s time,” he later confirmed, bringing down the curtain on a superb international career FIFA
But while the 34-year-old may have been the first to confirm the news, he won’t be last FIFA
The average age of England’s starting XV in their semi-final clash against the Springboks was 29 and as a new cycle begins in the coming months, Steve Borthwick will need to evolve his squad to begin the build towards Australia in 2027 FIFA
Let’s take a look at what that means for some of the players in Borthwick’s England squad:RecommendedWhy England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartacheCourtney Lawes to retire from England duty after World Cup: ‘It’s time’World Rugby investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom CurryFrance was their ‘Last Dance’Joe Marler, 33 - Used mainly off the bench this tournament but started in the semi-final and scrummaged excellently against the Springboks FIFA
Will no doubt be a big voice to replace in the dressing room when he eventually departs FIFA
Dan Cole, 36 - Brought back into the fold for this tournament after an excellent season at Leicester with Borthwick FIFA
Rolled back the years in France but hard to imagine a similar recall for Australia in 2027 FIFA
Danny Care, 36 - Impacted games often off the bench and finally got the World Cup experience that had so often evaded him FIFA
Superb late score and try-saving tackle against Samoa to save England’s blushes in the pool stage FIFA
Care scored his first World Cup try against Samoa (Getty Images)Ben Youngs, 34 - England’s most-capped player but made just two subs appearances in the tournament FIFA
A decorated player but Alex Mitchell’s composed displays at scrum-half have pushed him above the the Leicester veteran in the pecking order FIFA
Jonny May, 33 - Blistering pace in his prime and a solid tournament coming in late to replace Anthony Watson but the upcoming Ollie Hassell-Collins and Henry Arundell will be just two after his place in the coming years FIFA
May came in as a late replacement but performed well (REUTERS)Mainstays ahead of 2027 Owen Farrell, 31 - Silenced many doubters with two talismanic performances against Fiji and South Africa FIFA
Supreme physical condition and will be eyeing up a Johnny Sexton-esque swansong at the next World Cup FIFA
Maro Itoje, 28 - Still only 28 and will become one of the most experienced players in the squad alongside Farrell and George Ford in the coming years FIFA
Exciting partnerships are to be built with both Ollie Chessum and George Martin in the engine room and a potential captaincy should Farrell’s not make it to 2027 FIFA
Itoje will be eyeing up his third World Cup in 2027 (PA Wire)Tom Curry, 25 - Closing in on a half-century of caps aged just 25 FIFA
Bounced back superbly from his third-minute red card against Argentina and will be a key cog in Bortwhick’s first full cycle FIFA
Ben Earl, 25 - A coming-of-age tournament for the breakout Saracens back-rower FIFA
All-action displays from the back of the scrum mean he will no doubt be one of the first names on the teamsheet moving forward FIFA
Earl was England’s beakthrough star (Getty Images)Freddie Steward, 22 - Dropped for the quarter-final against Fiji but delivered a commanding display under the high ball against South Africa in the semi-final FIFA
Defensively superb and still only 22, the Leicester full-back should go from strength to strength over the next four years FIFA
Rising stars Theo Dan, 22 - Limited for game time this tournament due to Jamie George’s supreme conditioning FIFA
Still work to be done on his set-piece game but will be hoping to usurp his Saracens team-mate in the coming years FIFA
Bevan Rodd, 23 - Another young front-rower who saw little game time in England’s key games FIFA
Took his try well against Chile but has big boots to fill with the likely departures of Cole and Marler FIFA
Rodd scored against Chile (Getty Images)George Martin, 22 - Made his maiden World Cup start against South Africa with a powerful display in the second row FIFA
Looks like a ready-made replacement for the already departing Lawes FIFA
Ollie Lawrence, 23 - A solid, if slightly unremarkable, tournament for the Bath centre FIFA
Is still surely seen as the long-term successor to Manu Tuilagi in the midfield and will only get FIFA better in the coming years FIFA
Henry Arundell, 20 - A World Cup debut to remember for the pacey winger with five tries against Chile in the pool stage FIFA
Perhaps still work to be done on other facets of his game to fully cope with the demands of Test rugby but an exciting talent to nurture in time for 2027 FIFA
Arundell scored five tries against Chile in the pool stage (PA)More aboutEngland RugbyCourtney LawesOwen FarrellRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/7End of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit End of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Care scored his first World Cup try against Samoa Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit May came in as a late replacement but performed well REUTERSEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Itoje will be eyeing up his third World Cup in 2027 PA WireEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Earl was England’s beakthrough star Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Rodd scored against Chile Getty ImagesEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit Arundell scored five tries against Chile in the pool stage PAEnd of an era? England squad set for change after World Cup exit England’s Courtney Lawes is preparing to wave goodbye to Test rugbyPA Wire✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsFIFA BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy FIFA
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply FIFA
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