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.
Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.