Six Nations chief hails a major shift in the sport

WORLD Rugby has unveiled the fixtures for the inaugural Nations Championship next year ~ described as a “tectonic shift” in the sport.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The new biennial 12-team event will be contested by the northern and southern hemisphere sides to decide which is the dominant force, with ‘Finals Weekend’ to be held at London’s Allianz Stadium next November.

Six rounds of matches will take place in the summer and autumn before three doubleheader fixture days on November 27-29 will determine which nation is crowned champion.

“The Nations Championship has the power to redefine the future of rugby, and the partnership between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR signals a tectonic shift in the sport,’ said Six Nations chief executive Tom Harrison.

“Rugby’s strongest nations have collaborated with a clear vision to grow the game, by challenging traditional ways of operating to create a tournament structure with genuine global relevance, which will unlock the true value of the sport.