According to those on the ground in France, the answer is “yes”. World Rugby, the non-governing governing body, considers it to be a good idea – which, you may think, automatically makes it a bad one – and we can therefore expect the new format to be unveiled when Australia (remember them?) stage the global gathering in 2027.
A hardened cynic might be tempted to suspect that this “growth strategy” is all about the United States, the wealthiest nation in the Americas by an immeasurable distance but only fourth best when it comes to rugby.
The Eagles failed to find their way into the current tournament, which was a bit of a bugger for the governing classes who, with dollar signs in their eyes, had just awarded them the 2031 hosting rights. The thought of the Yanks messing up a second time may or may not have exercised a few minds in the boardroom.
Needless to say, the NGGB will flag up Portugal’s captivating victory over the Fijians as evidence of the Tier Two brigade closing in on the traditional elite. But Fiji, for all their talents, are still a Tier Two nation themselves – in commercial terms, they hover around Tier Eight – and if we look at the 40-match pool stage just ended, the dial has moved barely a millimetre in the right direction.
This story is from the October 15, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 15, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Perenara tops try list as 'Canes march on
TJ PERENARA became the all-time top Super Rugby try scorer as his table topping Hurricanes demolished the Waratahs.
You lived on the edge with Scotland
WHENEVER I cross paths with Paul Ackford, he always shouts across the room, “he taught me everything I knew!” Both of us were called into the England squad on the back of the London division’s famous win over Australia in 1988 but he got into the Test team later that year, and I didn’t.
Appleyard unhappy with date clashes
STAFFORDSHIRE head coach Andy Appleyard believes the RFU are ‘stealing opportunities away from quality players’ due to the opening round of the County Championship being played on the same day as the Papa John’s final.
Delighted to see Titans stand tall
THERE are some teams you grow particularly attached to over the decades and I make no apologies in numbering Rotherham Titans among those.
At 61, Daran calls it a day
DARAN Poppy was one of the oldest players in the RFU pyramid this season, reaching double-digit appearances for Old Gravesendians at the tender age of 61 but has decided to call time on his rugby career.
Louis has sights set on Kansas gold rush
THE latest phase of his footballing reincarnation took Louis Rees-Zammit to a school run by an American superstar whose contract runs from seven figures into nine.
Nayalo steers Army to thrilling fightback
THE British Army’s men pulled off a thrilling comeback that will live long in the memory to keep their hopes of regaining the Inter Service Championship alive, and dash the Royal Navy’s dream of a first back-to-back title in 50 years.
Eadie has the last laugh for Hartpury
MITCH Eadie went from sinner to saint in a double try-scoring display as Hartpury won in style to keep their hopes alive of finishing the season in the tophalf of the Championship table.
Roebuck out to impress England
SALE’s Tom Roebuck is a man on a mission as he looks to use the final weeks of the Premiership season to give England’s selectors a push to select him for the summer Tests against Japan and New Zealand.
Masuku hits the target for Sharks
THE Sharks turned Twickenham ‘Stoep’ into a mini South Africa as a partisan crowd roared their side to a dramatic victory over three-time winners Clermont to reach their first European final courtesy of deadeye goal kicking by Siya Masuku.