Six Nations and SANZAAR desperate to save the 2020 rugby season

SANZAAR and the Six Nations have been working closely to come up with solutions to the crisis the sport finds itself in as a result of the global pandemic.

In a joint-statement issued to the press on Friday 22 May, the two bodies said that all parties have sought to shelve self-interest in the talks over the rescuing of some sort of 2020 rugby season.

The early stages of the talks have thrown up several possible solutions, but critically the two bodies have agreed upon seven guiding principles for further discussions.

“Following the World Rugby meetings in March this year, SANZAAR and the Six Nations (“the Nations”) have been working closely over the lockdown period against a set of key principles between the parties, to develop and agree proposals for an aligned global calendar,” The SANZAAR and Six Nations release reads.

“Even though there may be different preferences, from the outset the Nations have adopted a mindset that has sought to eliminate self-interest and recognise that the international and club game have shared mutual benefits that if approached and managed correctly can enable both to flourish. 

“A further consultation process, in total transparency with unions, clubs and players, will commence as all parties work towards an aligned global calendar that can deliver a clear and coherent narrative.”

SANZAAR and Six Nations: Key Principles

1. Significantly mitigate overlaps between club and country fixtures
2. Better aligned player release windows for players, stakeholders and competitions
3. Improve player welfare
4. Improve narrative and competitiveness of International and Domestic Competitions around clear windows
5. Define clear high-performance pathways for Emerging Nations through the delivery of an internationally more inclusive game
6. Evolve competition structures that are underpinned with enhanced commercial offerings
7. Restore public faith in the core values of rugby and showing strong collective leadership in the best interests of the game.

“The Nations together with other key stakeholders remain open to shape the options that have been developed in an effort to resolve an issue that has held the game back for many years and are committed to putting rugby on a progressive path.”

Domestic rugby return

It seems likely that domestic competitions in the Southern hemisphere will be first to restart with New Zealand planning on getting their Super Rugby replacement event up and running in the coming weeks.

SA Rugby have outlined their return-to-play plans to government but await the approval and the lifting of key restrictions before they can move ahead.