Six Nations and SANZAAR chiefs have revealed they are coming closer to agreeing a global calendar for professional rugby - while admitting that staying apart has held the sport back "for many years".
A joint statement from the Six Nations and SANZAAR said that initial differences have been ironed out and that a global calendar is still on the agenda.
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"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," confirmed the statement.
The northern and southern hemisphere bodies outlined the 'seven key principles' that they are working with to come to final agreement, insisting they are "committed to putting rugby on a progressive path".
The priniciples are:
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.
