New calendar must respect clubs and unions, says CEO

The CEO of World Rugby believes the sport can at last get to grips with the long-standing problem of a global calendar, just days out from a seemingly key vote.

Brett Gosper remains optimistic, despite a “frank” exchange of views at a meeting of the World Rugby professional game forum last week that broke up without an agreement.

The sport had been in lockdown since March because of the coronavirus until New Zealand’s in-house Super Rugby tournament started earlier in June.

But the European season has yet to resume and, with several 2020 Six Nations matches still to take place, elite players face the prospect of a fixture pile-up later in a year.

Both the English Premiership and French league (LNR) voiced their disquiet over what they said was a “fait accompli” during last week’s talks.

However, Gosper, speaking ahead of a June 30 vote by World Rugby’s council, which may now restrict itself to discussing the remainder of this year’s programme, insisted that was not the case.

“Our role is one of facilitating an outcome that is good for all and we are listening and understand the views of all stakeholders,” he said from Dublin.

“It is important that the process recognises and supports the needs of both the clubs and the unions.”

Gosper, 61, said a compromise deal was possible.

“While there appear to be some entrenched positions, there is a good understanding of the issues and a commitment to explore possibilities in much greater detail,” he said.