More rest days planned

Rugby: The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France will have increased rest periods for all teams as part of a new player welfare package announced yesterday.

As part of the package, teams will have at least five days to prepare for all matches for the first time, as the pool phase will be extended by a week.

Squad sizes will also be increased from 31 to 33 players to help them prepare for matches.

The pool phase of the World Cup will now begin on September 8, 2023 and conclude with the final on October 28, and the overall travel distances as well as time will be reduced.