GLOBAL SEASON FAILS ONCE AGAIN

Attempts to create

a much-coveted global season have once again been dashed, with a proposal to shift the July test window to October next year, rebuffed by the professional clubs of England and France.

An alignment of Northern and Southern Hemisphere seasons has been an administrative goal for 15 years but has never been able to gain approval.

Hopes were high that following the arrival of the Coronavirus and the total carnage caused, that there was an opportunity for a radical re-think about the global set-up of the game.

While that was true among international unions – with both the Six Nations and Rugby Championship prepared to compromise to achieve the goal, the professional clubs had no interest in changing their calendar to accommodate the plan.

Under the proposal, the Rugby Championship would have been played in July to September, with in-bound tests with Northern Hemisphere nations in October and then the usual visit North in November.

If this had been approved it would have paved the way for the Nations League concept aired last year and a massive financial injection.

NZR chief executive

Mark Robinson, said: “We were a little disappointed with the approach that some of the northern hemisphere clubs brought to the table around a lack of open mindedness and a willingness to possibly consider that.”