THE PROSPECT OF Italy’s place in the Six Nations being taken by South Africa is not currently up for discussion, according to competition organisers.
In a statement issued this morning, Six Nations Rugby dismissed reports that the world champion Springboks could replace the Italians as soon as 2025.
“Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six Unions and Federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating Union,” the statement reads.
“All its energy is focused on the current strategic discussions regarding the July and November international windows and structure of the global season, and to ensure a positive outcome for the development of the game.”
In recent times, South African rugby has been aligning itself increasingly with the northern hemisphere, with their leading franchises now part of the United Rugby Championship. South African club sides will also be playing in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup from next season.
Italy, who are winless in the Six Nations since defeating Scotland in 2015, play their next fixture against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium a week on Sunday.
what ever about South Africa. Georgia should be given a chance over Italy.
@David Duignan: and what would Georgia contribute seeing as Italy consistently beat them?
How many people do you think will be lining up for 7 hour flight to Tbilisi in February and March instead of Rome?
Italy’s under age teams have been winning games. Dropping them now sees any progress made wasted and resetting the clock 20 years to put Georgia in the same position.
@David Duignan: Italy need to be retained and supported cutting them lose would be a turn for the worst. Georgia……. Are you serious. Italy are suffering from a leveling of playing the rest of the playing field with a resurgent France and Scotland. Georgians would crumble under the relentlessness of 6N. You need massive squad
Italy were never going anywhere, and any form or relegation is not going to happen, far to much at stake for every union. The only question is will the 6 nations become the 7 nations.
Knew I shouldn’t have believed something from the daily mail
I’d say it will happen in c 3 years timeframe but likely they add a 7th team and not drop Italy to the wilderness
And here is an amazing stat for you …
Just noticed 56 comments from the earlier post on this and I didn’t see one mention of this more obvious option – keep Italy and let SA join ( same league as their provinces play and also almost the same time zone
Everyone was either totally against them joining or pro Italy staying
Things that make you go hmmm …
@John Lowry: I thought it covered that in the orginal article. Dont think anyone with a reasonable knowledge of how the 6 nations is set up though that Italy leaving, or there being promtion/relegation was ever going to happen. The only real story was will the 6 nations become the 7 nations (fits in the same international window, with each team getting two rest weeks as well). SA fans aren’t that keen, 6 nations fans aren’t that keen, but CVC and the money men are. TBH its not in the best intrests of world wide rugby, and I wouldn’t really like it myself.
@Kingshu: I reckon SA will join if you add up all the dots it kind of makes most sense
Will take a couple of years to happen
If they are denying it now that means it will almost certainly happen as its hard to believe anything one hears in the media,in a lot of cases believe the opposite of what you hear and you won’t be too far wrong
@O’Brien Michael: So you don’t believe this but you do believe the reports about it “definitely happening”?. Strange to say the least…