Overview

• England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa issued a joint warning that anyone joining the proposed R360 series would be ineligible for international duty.
• Wales backed the concerns but said it reserves the right not to select R360 players rather than issuing a blanket ban, and Argentina did not sign the statement.
• Unions cited a lack of engagement from organisers, unanswered questions on player welfare and scheduling, and fears the model would concentrate profits and weaken investment in the wider game.
• R360 said it wants to work within the global calendar, would release players for national teams, cites welfare as a core rationale, and plans to seek World Rugby sanction next summer for a targeted October 2026 launch.
• The IRPA urged players to seek advice as the competition lacks World Rugby approval, with media reports saying around 200 pre‑contracts have been circulated and funding details remain undisclosed.