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Date set for global calendar summit that could change the rugby schedule forever - report

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

June 15 is the date that rugby, as it is traditionally scheduled, could change forever and a revolutionary global calendar is agreed. Following recent talks between Six Nations and SANZAAR, a follow-up meeting is now scheduled in Dublin in just over two weeks time.

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This summit will include the Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14 – along with World Rugby – in the hope that an agreement can be reached on the best way forward for professional rugby to better aligned the disparate fixture schedules north and south of the equator. 

Midi Olympique are reporting that the various structures on the table have been presented to the Top 14 club presidents who had been looking at a September start for their 2020/21 season in France following the late April cancellation of the suspended 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. 

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Paul Goze, president of Ligue Nationale de Rugby, apparently outlined on Friday evening the two options that will be on the table when the main tournaments from around the world convene in just over a fortnight to decide what is possible. In all cases, the remainder of 2020 would be left blank from new club rugby seasons. 

The first option would see the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship played at the same time in March and April 2021, with the summer Test window moved to October and running into the traditional November schedule, the one piece of the international schedule that would remain untouched. 

According to Goze, this would result in the Top 14 and the other European leagues starting their new seasons in January 2021 with an eight-week block. They would then break for the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship, before resuming in late April and running the whole way through to September 2021.   

The second option apparently on the table would see the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship continue at their current different times of the year, with the leagues in Europe starting instead in late March 2021 and continuing through to the end of September. 

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According to Midi, the information relayed by Goze left the majority of the Top 14 club presidents taken aback and concerned that they might not be able to adapt their businesses to a new calendar year schedule.  

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R
RedWarrior 32 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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