1 week Ago By [email protected] (Glen Williams)
Here are your rugby headlines for Friday, November 15. World's top stars 'sign up' for breakaway proposal A game-changing plan to launch a new global franchise competition that would turn the rugby world upside down is a step closer, according to reports. WalesOnline reported the idea of an IPL-style competition involving the best players in the world earlier this month, and things are now gathering pace.
The Times report up to 20 of rugby's biggest global stars have signed up to the breakaway competition in principle, which now has significant financial backing from the US. The Formula 1-inspired plan would see the new franchise teams travel around the globe from weekend to weekend, playing matches at huge fan events involving concerts and other entertainment. Around 280 of the best men's players in the world are being targeted - roughly enough for eight teams - and 140 women's players.
It is hoped the idea could catapult rugby's commercial appeal and ability to grow its following into a different stratosphere. It would sit alongside the international schedule and is thought to appeal to players as they would only be required to play around 15 matches per season outside of international duty. It remains to be seen what powerbrokers at rugby's major club teams will make of it and what resistance they will put up amid the threat of losing their top stars.
Warburton on Gatland's future Another former Wales captain, Sam Warburton, has weighed in on the debate swirling around Warren Gatland's future. Wales are on the brink of their worst-ever defeat record ahead of this Sunday's clash against the Wallabies. Should they lose to Australia, it will be 11 Test defeats in a row, something they have never done in their history.
As a result, pressure is piling on the shoulders of head coach Gatland, but Warburton believes the Union must wait until the two games against Australia and South Africa are both played before any definitive call is made. "You've got to cross that bridge when it comes. But I'd always do it at the end of the campaign," Warburton told SportsJoe.
"Have time to reflect. There isn't a rush to make a decision - it's not like there's a World Cup around the corner that we need to prepare for. "Everybody now tends to want to jump in and make a decision.
My thing is, let it breathe, get to the end of the campaign and then cross that bridge when it comes. A lot can happen in two international Test matches. "You've got to give it another couple of games and then you've got to get together and make a decision.
" He added: "Who is available who wants to do the job? You've got to think of the financial consequences of having a coach to leave early. "Plus, I can't deny that Warren has got an exceptional track record before this. If we are being brutally honest, have they got the same calibre of top-class players as other nations right now? "Give that coaching staff another couple of weeks to iron out any creases and, yeah, if there's no progress, then obviously the WRU need to make a decision.
I just think they need to get to the end of the campaign." WRU sponsor 'very concerned' over allegations The controversy surrounding the Welsh Rugby Union's mishandled contract talks with its women's team has escalated, with key sponsor Vodafone expressing they are "very concerned" over new claims of sexism. The WRU had reportedly threatened to withdraw the team from next year's home World Cup unless players agreed to new contracts, leading to reports of players being left "emotionally unwell" due to alleged bullying by coaching staff and senior management figures.
Ioan Cunningham subsequently stepped down as head coach of the women’s team. The WRU has acknowledged that the scandal has tarnished its image. Vodafone, which is the main partner for Wales’s senior men’s, women’s, and pathway teams in a sponsorship deal believed to be worth £16 million, has voiced its concerns.
Per The Telegraph , Vodafone stated: "As the founding principal partner of Wales Women’s and Girls’ Rugby, we are passionately invested in the growth of the game in Wales. "We were aware of contract negotiations taking place, but the specifics of these discussions have been between the WRU and Women’s Rugby Association [WRA], however we are very concerned about the nature of the allegations that have been made." The resignation of Cunningham has been a stark development amidst the controversy embroiling the sport.
Despite arising concerns, major sponsor Vodafone plans to stand by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), emphasising the importance of sponsorship for the game's growth at all levels. The telecoms giant added: "Investment into women’s rugby through sponsorship is vitally important to the development of the sport, from the grass roots right through to the professional game. As such, we intend to continue to support the growth of women’s rugby through our partnership.
" Borthwick fears rugby could be like 'Aussie rules' under new laws By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent England head coach Steve Borthwick fears that rugby is in danger of resembling Australian rules football because of the rushed introduction of a law directive designed to create fairer aerial duels. Borthwick has made four changes for Saturday's match against South Africa with full-back Freddie Steward, wing Ollie Sleightholme, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and flanker Sam Underhill given starts. The recall of high ball master Steward, successfully predicted by Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus hours before Borthwick named his team, is a nod to the impact on the game caused by World Rugby's autumn crackdown on 'escort runners', who block the path of kick-chasers.
Instead of creating a more open and contestable game as expected, England believe the directive is an example of the law of unintended consequences. Borthwick insists it should have been introduced with greater care. "You don't want to turn rugby union into Aussie rules.
I thought our game was in pretty good shape. There has been a fundamental change here," Borthwick said. "It's a pretty small sample size so far, but we're seeing a great increase in the number of kicks, in the number of contestable kicks, in the number of scrums and in the number of loose balls.
That's only going to increase. "In hindsight, it could have been dealt with differently. We effectively received the information about it a week before we came into camp.
"At that point in time, no players had played with it and we're now putting it on to high level Tests that are effectively the biggest stage of world rugby other than the World Cup. "I will be really interested to see where this goes because currently I see it only leading to more kicking and more scrums. "Yes there will be more unstructured possession but I'm not sure everyone wants to watch more kicking and more scrums.
I don't think anyone wants it to turn into Aussie rules." Townsend confirms Jordan will move to Bristol By Anthony Brown, PA Gregor Townsend backed Tom Jordan to keep going from strength to strength after the new Scotland recruit agreed to join Bristol next season. The New Zealand-born 26-year-old has burst onto the international scene in impressive fashion this month after becoming eligible following five years of residency in Scotland with Ayrshire Bulls and current club Glasgow.
It emerged this week that versatile back Jordan - a stand-off who has played at full-back in his first two Test outings against Fiji and South Africa - will sign for Bristol next summer, although the deal is yet to be officially confirmed by either club. "I knew about it last week," said Scotland head coach Townsend of Jordan's impending move. "I know he had a big decision to make last week, and he's obviously thought about it a lot and then informed Glasgow.
"But he managed to put that decision, which must have been really tough for him, to one side and deliver a very good performance (against South Africa)." Townsend acknowledged Jordan's departure will be a blow for Glasgow but believes it reflects well on Scotland that several of their players, including recently-appointed captain Sione Tuipulotu, have attracted interest from elsewhere. "Yes, it's a positive that players are getting offers from other clubs," he said.
"It's not so much a positive if players are leaving, but two weeks ago, Sione was announced as staying at Glasgow, so that was a key signing for Glasgow. "I know Glasgow will be disappointed to lose someone of Tom's ability and his versatility, but we have players who play outside of Scotland and perform well for us at national level. I'm sure Tom will continue to grow wherever he plays next year.
"I'm sure he'll keep pushing himself over this next period in our camp. But also when he's back at Glasgow to get better and better." Jordan is the only player who started against South Africa to retain his place for Saturday's match against Portugal after Harry Paterson, who was due to start at full-back this weekend, got injured in training on Wednesday.
.
