Wales Tests in new set-up could be played out in Qatar
WALES could play Test matches in Qatar amid reports the Gulf state has tabled a substantial bid to stage the finals of the Nations Championship that will begin in 2026.
The new tournament will take place in alternating years, between British and Irish Lions tours and the Rugby World Cup.
Northern hemisphere sides are set to play three southern hemisphere opponents away from home in the July window, with the return fixture played in the November window.
The top sides from each pool would then face off in a grand final.
In addition, the second-placed Six Nations side would play the runners-up in the southern hemisphere table, with third playing third and so on down to sixth vs sixth.
And it’s these final six matches Qatar have bid to host, according to the Daily Mail, with the plan being for a three-day festival that is being billed ‘The Super Bowl of rugby’.
The games would be played at multiple venues in Doha, with the Qatar bidding team promising commercial returns of up to a staggering £800million over eight years to the Six Nations and Sanzaar unions.
Further talks are said be planned for the next week after positive opening discussions, with Qatar setting a deadline of seven days to enter into a twomonth period of exclusive negotiations.
MARO Itoje could be unavailable at a key stage of the Gallagher Premiership season after the Saracens second row was cited for a dangerous tackle against Bath on Friday.
Itoje is in danger of being ruled out for an offence that carries a minimum two-match ban if the citing is upheld when the independent disciplinary panel meets on Tuesday evening.
The England forward made an upright tackle on Bath’s Alfie Barbeary at the Recreation Ground, making head contact in the process.
He was sent to the sin-bin with referee Luke Pearce viewing the fact it was not direct head-onhead contact as mitigation for not showing a red card.
But subsequently the citing officer has since deemed the challenge to be a sending-off offence.
Saracens have two key games of the regular season left - against Bristol and Sale - and are on course to finish in the play-offs as they look to retain their Premiership title.