World Rugby have released a lukewarm response to the new World 12s proposal, which is rugby’s answer to cricket’s Indian Premier League and The Hundred.
The format will see round robin games played before knockout stages determines the champions - and the first men’s tournament will take place in England next summer in August and September while the women’s tournament will take place a year later.
Organisers of the new tournament expect 192 men’s players from tier one and tier two nations to be selected via auction - in a similar system to The Hundred.
They would represent eight franchises consisting of squads of 24, who will be coached by some of the most established figures in the world.
Both the men and women’s tournaments will have equal prize money offered for the competitions, and it is believed the World 12s tournaments will be staged in various different locations around the world.
Up to £250million in revenue is hoped to be generated over the next five years as organisers aim to increase the global appeal of rugby.
But World Rugby have released a statement in response to the launch of the World 12s, and expressed discomfort with how the proposed tournament will fit into the ruby calendar.
“We are aware of the proposed new World 12s competition,” a World Rugby spokesperson said.
“While we welcome innovative thinking with the potential to advance the reach, attractiveness and growth of the sport, comprehensive consultation with the organisers is required to understand the viability of the concept, particularly in the context of ongoing global calendar discussions and the priority area of player welfare.”
World Rugby’s key issue lies with how World 12s will fit into an already congested schedule, as clubs and provinces in European leagues are unlikely to consent to their best players risking their physical welfare during a time of the year when they are either on holiday or in light pre-season.
It is already unlikely that players from New Zealand, Australia or South Africa would take part as the Rugby Championship is scheduled to take place during that time.
Despite this, there is plenty of backing for the tournament from the likes of World Cup winning coach Steve Hansen, Jake White and former Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie is set to be chairman.
Ritchie sees a bright future for World 12s, which is backed by a UK-based financial consortium - and he believes he will be able to convince the various leagues, unions and players associations needed to get the tournament up and running.
“World 12s is a natural evolution for rugby union. We feel that this is a game for our changing, fast-paced world that can excite a global fan base in the way that we have seen with the IPL or most recently The Hundred in cricket,” Ritchie said.
“In bringing together the most exciting players under the stewardship of some of the brightest rugby minds with commercial backing, we are looking to propel rugby forward and lay a positive roadmap for how the game is perceived for future generations.
“Early and informal discussions with World Rugby, unions, clubs and player associations have been constructive, and in announcing today we can continue our consultative conversations and collaborations with the relevant stakeholders.”
Each of the eight teams will be made up of six backs and six forwards while matches will last 30 minutes - less than the regulation 40 minutes in ‘normal’ rugby matches - with the tournament spanning three consecutive weekends.
