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World Rugby Launches Rugby Nations Championship to Level the Playing Field

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 9:02 GMT by The Independent

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Rugby Nations Championship: A New Chapter for the Sport

In a bold move that could reshape the international rugby landscape, World Rugby announced the launch of the Rugby Nations Championship (RNC) – a fresh, inclusive competition designed to bring the game to a wider audience, provide a more level playing field for emerging nations, and generate new revenue streams for the sport’s governing bodies. The Independent’s comprehensive coverage of the announcement (linked directly to World Rugby’s official press release) outlines how the RNC will operate, why it is needed, and what it could mean for fans, players and sponsors alike.

Why a New Championship?

The Independent’s article contextualises the RNC against a backdrop of longstanding challenges faced by rugby’s global competitions. The traditional Six Nations and The Rugby Championship have long dominated the upper echelons of international rugby, but they have left a sizeable cohort of nations—many of which are steadily improving—without a meaningful platform to test themselves against similarly resourced opponents. According to World Rugby’s Chief Executive Tom Willis (quoted in the article), “We’re launching this competition to give more nations a chance to compete at a higher level, build competitiveness, and ultimately strengthen the global game.”

The piece highlights a 2019 World Rugby report (linked in the article) that identified “development gaps” in the sport. The RNC aims to close these gaps by giving emerging nations regular, high‑quality fixtures against comparable opponents, a goal that has long been articulated by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in its 2023 strategic plan.

The Format and Structure

The RNC will feature twelve national teams, split into three pools of four. Each team will play six pool matches (three home, three away), ensuring a balanced schedule that mirrors the experience of top‑tier competitions. The pool winners will advance to a play‑off that determines the championship’s overall champion.

The article goes into detail about the calendaring of the RNC. Matches will be interspersed with existing test windows to minimise fixture congestion and maximise fan engagement. “The competition will be fully integrated into the World Rugby calendar,” Willis says, “which means the RNC will run parallel to the Rugby World Cup cycle.”

A side note—often overlooked in sports coverage—is the RNC’s alignment with the World Rugby Rankings. The article explains that performances in the RNC will carry ranking points, which will incentivise teams to field strong squads. This has direct implications for qualification to the Rugby World Cup, as ranking points can determine seedings and qualification paths for lower‑tier nations.

Who’s In?

While the article lists the original twelve participants in a table (which references a World Rugby page for each nation), the overarching narrative emphasises the mix of teams from different regions. Six “core” nations—England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales—will retain their place from the Six Nations. The remaining six slots will be filled by “emerging” nations: USA, Canada, Japan, Namibia, Fiji, and South Africa’s ‘A’ side. The article notes that World Rugby’s 2022-2024 development strategy earmarked these countries for the next phase of growth.

A particularly exciting element for fans is the inclusion of Japan. Historically, Japan’s 2015 World Cup performance sparked a surge in interest for the sport in Asia. The RNC offers the nation a chance to test itself against both European and Oceanic opposition on a regular basis. Willis says, “Japan is a key part of our vision for growing rugby in the Pacific and Asia.”

Commercial Opportunities

The Independent article delves into the commercial implications of the RNC. With a larger, more diverse field, broadcasters will have fresh storylines and new markets to tap. The piece cites an early interest from BT Sport and Amazon Prime (linked to an external article on broadcasting rights), who are exploring coverage packages for the tournament. Sponsorship deals are also expected to grow, with Toyota and HSBC (mentioned via a press release link) hinting at early partnerships.

A particularly forward‑thinking aspect highlighted in the article is the digital engagement plan. World Rugby plans to host the RNC on a dedicated streaming platform, offering commentary in multiple languages, interactive stats, and real‑time fan polls. The article quotes a World Rugby spokesperson who says, “The RNC is as much about technology and fan engagement as it is about the sport itself.”

Reactions from the Rugby Community

The article includes a brief survey of reactions from players, coaches and fans. A senior coach from the USA’s national side, Robbie Haines, said the RNC would “provide the consistency we need to develop our core group of players.” Fans from South Africa’s “A” side welcomed the chance to compete against nations outside the usual Southern Hemisphere powerhouses. In contrast, some traditionalists expressed concerns that the RNC could dilute the prestige of the Six Nations, though the article counters that the competition is explicitly designed to coexist with existing tournaments, not replace them.

Looking Ahead

With the Rugby Nations Championship set to launch in 2025, the Independent article frames the RNC as a “new chapter” for the sport. By providing a structured, competitive platform for emerging nations while retaining the core Six Nations teams, the RNC could create a virtuous cycle of talent development, fan engagement, and commercial growth.

The article concludes that the RNC’s success will largely depend on the commitment of national unions, sponsors and broadcasters. If World Rugby can secure the necessary partnerships and ensure a high level of competition, the Rugby Nations Championship could become the sport’s most significant development initiative in decades. As Willis aptly put it, “This isn’t just about creating another tournament; it’s about redefining the future of rugby on a global scale.”