Rugby unions warn R360 could bar players from international duty

Eight major national rugby unions said they will advise players that joining a proposed breakaway competition called R360 would make them ineligible for international selection, in a coordinated statement that raised concerns about player welfare, calendar conflicts and the diversion of funds away from grassroots rugby. The unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy said they were urging "extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition" and would bar men’s and women’s players who sign up from national squads.

The unions said R360 has not explained how it would manage player welfare, how participants would continue to pursue international representation, or how the new competition would fit alongside domestic and international calendars negotiated in recent years. They warned that the R360 model, as outlined publicly, appears aimed at generating profits for private investors and could hollow out investment that unions and existing leagues direct to community rugby, player development and participation pathways.

Organizers of the proposed event, which is reported to be fronted by...