The proposed global R360 league, driven by former England international Mike Tindall, has sparked an increasingly intense debate within the rugby world. The project, which aims to launch in 2026, envisions an international circuit featuring eight men’s franchises and four women’s franchises competing in different cities worldwide under a Formula 1–inspired format. Its arrival, however, could diminish the weight and importance of traditional competitions.
The most serious concerns come from clubs and their owners. As they point out, owners are already covering million-pound losses year after year and are unwilling to continue financing development structures only to see their best talents sign with a league that offers no compensation and does not contribute to player pathways.
At the international level, the tension is clear. Eight major national unions have announced that any player who signs with R360 will not be eligible for national selection—a direct message aimed at preventing a potential exodus of top Test-level stars. In a sport where international prestige remains a central pillar, this measure could shape many individual decisions.
The potential impact on women’s rugby is even more concerning. The four proposed women’s franchises would require more than a hundred elite players, a number that could drain emerging leagues such as Premiership Women’s Rugby.
While R360 insists it seeks to modernise the sport and attract new audiences, it still lacks the endorsement of World Rugby. The challenge now is to determine whether this innovative project can coexist with existing structures or whether it will ultimately reduce the strength and visibility of the competitions that sustain the global game.