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Rugby Nations Unite, Announcing Plans to Ban Players Who Join R360 Rebel Series
Eight major rugby unions warn players joining R360 will lose eligibility for international matches amid concerns over player welfare and competition's lack of regulatory approval.
- On October 7, 2025, the national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy issued a joint statement urging `extreme caution` for players and support staff, warning those joining R360 will be ineligible for national selection.
- Citing lack of engagement, unions raised concerns about R360's business model, saying it gave no indication on player welfare or coexistence with international and domestic calendars in recent years.
- Former England centre Mike Tindall fronts R360 as organisers say they have agreements with nearly 200 players and plan eight men's teams and four women's teams in grand prix-style global events.
- The International Rugby Players Association advised members to seek legal counsel before signing any R360 contract, marking a major setback to R360's planned launch next year.
- Regulatory hurdles remain as R360 lacks World Rugby sanctioning, which is not expected before June, and must meet player release rules for international windows and resolve calendar constraints next year.
66 Articles
66 Articles
As happened before in other sports, it is a project that is known details to drop-out. With all intent, its promoters thus promote the mystery and the consequent interest. It is known its name, Rugby 360 —R360—, and its raison d'être: making money. How? Creating an elitist and closed rugby league whose peculiar competition system mixes ingredients from the Formula 1, LIV Golf and NBA models, among others. Actually, the mirror in which the R360 i…
The federations of eight major nations of the world rugby decided that the internationals who would engage in the "R360" project would be ineligible for their country.
Players joining R360 to be ineligible for international teams
Players have been warned that joining R360 would make them unable to be selected for the All Blacks. Photo: Getty Images All Blacks and other rugby stars considering a switch to R360 have been warned that joining the competition would make them ineligible for international selection.
Associated Press News
Rugby nations unite, announcing plans to ban players who join R360 rebel series
Eight of rugby’s most powerful nations have announced international bans for any players who join the breakaway R360 organization which intends to launch a multi-city series from next year.
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