This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
As the world slowly returns to normal, the rugby community is gearing up for a new era of international competition. The 2019 Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa set the stage for a thrilling season ahead.
On May 22, 2020, Europe's Six Nations bosses and southern hemisphere rugby chiefs announced that they are working closely to draw up an 'aligned global calendar' for when the sport resumes.
The two organisations, responsible for the major annual international tournaments, have been 'working closely over the lockdown period' to come up with a harmonised schedule of fixtures.
According to a joint statement issued by SANZAAR and the Six Nations, the two organisations have adopted a mindset that seeks to eliminate self-interest and recognise the mutual benefits of the international and club game.
Although short on specifics, the statement outlined several principles guiding the talks, including mitigating overlaps between club and country fixtures, better-aligned player-release windows, and improved player welfare.
World Rugby welcomed the commitment from the Six Nations and SANZAAR for closer collaboration to ensure a more harmonious global calendar.
However, the sport faces a particular challenge as it is a full-contact sport, and the coronavirus-enforced suspension has left leading countries facing major losses.
With the English Premiership announcing that clubs would not be back training for at least two more weeks, some of the remaining nine rounds of matches may have to be scrapped in order to finish the season.
