It was in the pipes, it's now official. World Rugby on Thursday voted an extended international autumn window from 3 to 6 weekends by temporarily modifying its rule 9, which governs the availability of internationals, despite opposition from the English and French Leagues. The development of this "exceptional program" should allow the Six Nations Tournament, interrupted at the beginning of March by the Covid-19 pandemic, to complete its 2020 edition, then to organize in the northern hemisphere, after a weekend of break, a new tournament from mid-November to early December.
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With the modification of rule 9, internationals from northern nations are now available from October 24 to December 5-6, World Rugby has reported. The Rugby Championship, the annual tournament of the nations of the southern hemisphere which is usually held at the end of the summer, will take place from November 7 to December 12-13 in a single country, a priori New Zealand. "The change to this rule has been approved on an interim basis in order to mitigate the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 crisis on rugby-related activities worldwide and is intended to offer welcome assistance to players," to teams, fans and commercial and broadcast partners, ”said the global body that manages rugby.
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The English (Premiership Rugby) and French (LNR) Leagues, whose clubs employ many internationals from their own country as well as foreigners, have already expressed their disapproval of the even provisional modification of rule 9. Top 14 agree to go up to 5 matches for the XV of France, but not 6. "The approval (of the modification) follows a serious and constructive dialogue initiated between the main stakeholders of rugby, taking take into account the interests of international rugby, the interests of professional clubs and the well-being of players in order to determine a timetable which will provide immediate financial returns and finance sport at all levels, ”World Rugby believes. "These matches are eagerly awaited by everyone and I would like to thank the federations, international competitions, club competitions and players for their contribution, as well as the supporters for their patience as we seek to revive rugby international as quickly as possible, ”said Bill Beaumont, president of World Rugby, of England.
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