In a tragic turn of events, Greig Oliver, a talented international class scrum-half from Scotland, lost his life in a paragliding accident in South Africa. Oliver, who earned three caps for Scotland, was unfortunately overshadowed by the presence of Roy Laidlaw and Gary Armstrong in the No.9 jersey during his career. Despite sitting on the bench more than 40 times for Scotland, Oliver was highly regarded in his hometown of Hawick and within the Munster community, where he served as an exceptional coach. The loss of Oliver, labeled as one of the greats from the Borders, has left a void in the rugby community.
Amidst the mourning for Oliver, it is essential to address the upcoming transformational changes that World Rugby is bringing to the sport. In three years’ time, a new biennial tournament will revolutionize the rugby landscape, featuring all the Six Nations teams alongside the four Southern Hemisphere sides from SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina). This tournament, set to replace the summer tours and autumn tests from 2026, aims to increase international game frequency while ensuring the absence of conflicts with World Cups and British and Irish Lions tours.
On the surface, this new global championship seems promising, as it aligns with the longstanding notion that there should be more international games. However, one crucial aspect that must not be overlooked is the accessibility of these matches. To truly achieve World Rugby’s goal of growing the game internationally, it is imperative that every Scotland match is available on free-to-air television. While securing the television rights will be a costly endeavor, having the games solely on satellite channels or livestream platforms will hinder the sport’s expansion.
Notably absent from World Rugby’s announcement is the official name and branding of the tournament, which is expected to be rather generic, like the Global Championship. Additionally, the question of the trophy that will be contested remains unanswered. With the William Webb Ellis trophy already associated with the World Cup, World Rugby should consider conducting a competition or poll to determine a name for this new tournament.
World Rugby emphasized that two invitational sides will join the Southern Hemisphere teams, with the selection process managed by SANZAAR, World Rugby, and the International Rugby Players group. While the inclusion of Japan seems like a given, considering their impressive ranking and the growing state of rugby in the country, the second invitational spot could go to the USA due to their potential for a substantial audience. However, it remains to be seen how the selection process will unfold.
A notable aspect of the new tournament is the introduction of a Second Division, which will involve teams from Europe and the rest of the world. This division aims to foster a stronger connection between the top and second divisions, with Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR actively involved in the process. However, a potentially contentious issue arises when considering relegation. If a team like Scotland, Wales, or Italy were to finish at the bottom of the top division, it remains uncertain whether their unions would be open to relegation. The press release conveniently mentions promotion and relegation matches rather than straightforward relegation, suggesting the possibility of playoffs to determine a team’s fate.
The Scottish Rugby Union has been duly warned about the need to elevate their game to ensure that Scotland does not end up in the relegation zone. The upcoming World Cup in France will provide valuable insights into how this new tournament might unfold. Currently, Japan holds the 10th spot in the rankings and appears to be a strong candidate for the top division. However, with Italy ranking 14th and teams like Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga in close proximity, any surprising results in the World Cup could influence the final team selection.
While the USA missed out on the World Cup by failing against Portugal, they have been awarded the hosting rights for the championship in 2031. With this in mind, it is possible that the USA will find a place in the new tournament, ensuring their continued involvement in the global rugby landscape. However, it must be emphasized that the emergence of rugby powerhouses like Russia and China could reshape the rugby landscape completely, considering their vast human resources. As of now, Russia ranks 25th and China 82nd, but their potential cannot be underestimated.
As we approach 2026, significant discussions and planning lie ahead. It is imperative that Scotland prepares itself to meet the challenges of the new tournament and ensures its continued presence at the highest level of international rugby.
