IRELAND GREAT Rory Best believes the coronavirus outbreak could give European nations a chance to experience summer rugby and align their seasons with those in the southern hemisphere.
The former Ireland captain is convinced that switching the seasons would boost northern hemisphere nations’ chances of winning the World Cup as it would give them equal preparation time for the global showpiece.
In nine editions of the World Cup, England’s 2003 triumph is the only time a European country has lifted the trophy.
Rugby union is currently suspended worldwide, with no indication of when European competitions will resume.
Playing into the summer months may be the only way they can end their 2019/20 seasons, if health restrictions allow.
“This might be an opportunity to prove summer rugby could work,” said Best, who retired after last year’s World Cup in Japan.
“For the sake of rugby, I think they’ve got to try and align the two seasons.”
The 37-year-old added: “In my opinion, it’s got to happen. If you take a World Cup, it’s coming to the end of a southern hemisphere season so they actually meet as a group of players and they don’t have to waste time reconditioning themselves.”
When we come together we have to spend at least three or four weeks getting back into condition after a break,” explained Best, who said there was no difference in quality any more between the northern and southern hemispheres.
“That time could be spent as a team preparing to try and win a World Cup.”
Best, who won 124 caps, said that even if rugby could resume in the European summer, players would need a four-week pre-season first.
“Maybe it (the current campaign) will go into September before a two, three, four-week break and then the (new) season in October,” he said.
“Starting a season in October isn’t a massive deal…. You saw when the 2015 World Cup was in England, the English Premiership didn’t start until basically Halloween (October 31).”
I’m in two minds over this, while i would love a global calander which would serve clubs and nations best, I also think the 6 nations being in feb march makes more revenue as its not completing with other sports and gives a massive boost to the hospitality sector at what is there low season. A 6 nations durning the summer would not make IRFU, Dublin or Ireland as a nation the same money same for Scotland/Edinburgh, Wales/Cardiff. In summer hotels/pubs/cities are fine, and you have every summer taken up by GAA plus world cup/euro cup/Olympics its a much tougher markwt to get the same tv money.
@Kingshu: they could start the domestic season after the 6 nations. Start the 6 nations in mid to late January. Have it finished by march. Play the domestic season from march till July or August. Wouldn’t be losing International players twice in the season (Nov tests and 6 nations). Then have the summer tours in September
Rather then focusing on a global season I think world rugby should be concentrated on expanding the growth of the game!
Right now we have Japan which has made it to a quarter final of a WC (as far as Ireland has ever gone) and not added to any major tournament ie Six nations or Rugby Championship (SH)
Also nations line Georgia, Romania, Spain, Germany seem to be pushed to one side with not real growth plans.
@Aaron Tynan: Agreed, Japan’s momentum can’t be lost the way Samoa’s momentum in the 90′s (where they made it out of the group stage all three times) was lost. Had investment been put in Samoa back then we might have a 5th Rugby Championship side.
@Patrick Jackman: And sure dont worry about the empty stadiums. Why would the French want to watch Ireland v Italy?
And fans couldn’t possibly afford to travel to 5 away games rather than 2 or 3?
You should think about your radical ideas before posting them….. Unless….. Is that you Agustin?
One solution is in a world cup year play the 6 nations over two phases, as usual in February and March and then a second round in September-October where all fixtures are at neutral venues e.g we play Italy in Paris etc.
This would give a real competitive edge in the run up to a world cup.
However for me the critical disadvantage is that in a match between a Northern and Southern Hemisphere team a Southern Hemisphere referee allows free for alls at rucks and a Northern Hemisphere referee seems very reluctant to police the ruck properly.
Relax Rory, virus leads to death. Get back to the farm.
Completely agree with Best about advantage SH have come WC. Global season matching current SH season is way forward. Have pro/ international global season but leave amateur season (school, college, uni, club) as is in NH. 3 international windows 1. SH tour to NH in March 2. NH tour to SH in July 3. Domestic internationals September/ October.
No domestic internationals in WC years.