World Rugby withdraws plans of Nations Championship

World Rugby has announced that their plans for Nations Championship which was about to kick-off from 2022 have been withdrawn after lack of support from the union boards.

The Nations Championship concept had two sets of leagues consisting of Six Nations teams and four from the Rugby Championship which will have an addition of two more teams. Each team will face the other 11 teams in either a home or away fixture with the top four teams overall progressing to the playoffs.

The governing body also earlier confirmed that the Nations Championship will be played every two years that does not include a World Cup year and will have a truncated version when British and Irish Lions will be in action.

The concept required unanimous approval from 10 unions of Six Nations and Rugby Championship combined but failed to get the required support despite the project securing equity support worth £6.1bn over 12 years.

“World Rugby undertook this important project with the best interests of the global game at heart in line with our vision to grow the sport as a game for all," said World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.

"While we are naturally disappointed that a unanimous position on the Nations Championship could not be achieved among our unions, we remain fully committed to exploring alternative ways to enhance the meaning, value and opportunity of international rugby for the betterment of all unions.

“This includes our continued commitment to competition and investment opportunities for emerging nations to increase the competitiveness of the international game with a view to possible Rugby World Cup expansion in 2027.

“I would like to thank all stakeholders for their detailed consideration and engagement, World Rugby’s executive team for their hard work and Infront Sports and Media for their full and ongoing support of our vision to grow rugby’s global footprint.”