Moyne calls for Japan to be part of European Seven Nations set-up

FORMER England and Lions wing Ugo Monye wants European rugby chiefs to build on Japan’s success at the Rugby World Cup and start a Seven Nations Championship.

The respected pundit, currently working out in Japan with World Cup host broadcasters ITV, has put a schedule forward that addresses the logistical issues of travelling to and from the Far East during the tournament.

Jamie Joseph’s brand of scintillating all-action rugby with the Brave Blossoms has wowed the World Cup, with hosts Japan playing South Africa in the quarter-finals this weekend after topping Pool A with wins over Ireland and Scotland.

Their performances could well lead to Japan being in high demand to join a tier one annual tournament.

And 14-times capped England wing Monye, who played two Tests on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa, is calling on Six Nations bosses to strike first.

Writing his Rugby World Cup blog in the Guardian, Monye said: “Japan are no longer causing upsets but producing world-class performances, and they are making a mockery of their tier-two label.

“How about Japan joining the Six Nations? I may be inviting ridicule and there are obvious logistical hurdles that would have to be overcome.”

Insisting the question needs to be asked, he continued: “To be frank, after what Japan have done I would argue rugby’s superpowers need Japan more than Japan need them.

“There is no doubting Japan will be in demand to join a major yearly competition and from a selfish point of view, as someone who loves northern hemisphere rugby, I hope the Six Nations give it some consideration.”

Travel would be one major hurdle to overcome and there are suggestions elsewhere of Japan and Fiji joining the Rugby Championship, with South Africa moving to the Six Nations, to keep time-zone problems down to the bare minimum.

But Monye has put his own answer forward to getting Japan into the European extravaganza.

“To address some of the logistical issues, Japan is a long way from Europe but that said, it’s a long way from all of the nations in the Rugby Championship too,” he said.

“I do not want to dismiss the extra strain it could put on players and supporters but if the Six Nations needs a bit of restructuring to make it work, then so be it.

“In any given year, the three existing teams who play away in Japan could have a rest week immediately afterwards. Japan could then base themselves in Europe to play their away matches in a block.

“From a supporters’ point of view it would mean change but that is not necessarily a bad thing.”