Six Nations Set to Introduce Relegation in New World League

Six Nations Set to Introduce Relegation in New World League

The introduction of a World Rugby Nations Championship in 2022 could see two divisions in Europe and two in the southern hemisphere.

According to The Times, the proposed tournament would involve the world’s top 12 countries, six from Europe and six from the southern hemisphere, playing each other once a year before a playoff series and final. It would not be held in a World Cup year, while a truncated event would be staged in years when the British & Irish Lions are touring.


 
 
 
 
 
Discussions regarding the format of the new competition have included tier two nations Fiji and Japan joining sides from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship in a 12-team league.
 
 
 
 
 

Each team would play each other once throughout the year, followed by a series of play-off matches, with a final between the best nation from either hemisphere to be played at a neutral venue such as Wembley Stadium in London or Camp Nou in Barcelona.

If relegation is factored in, there will be two divisions in Europe and two in the southern hemisphere. The team that finishes bottom of the top-tier group of six would contest a playoff against the winner of the second tier.

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