Comment: Money talks in Nations Championship plan

World Rugby’s efforts this week to clarify its position on the proposed Nations Championship are unlikely to have offered much comfort to those for whom the PRO14 is their staple oval-ball fare.

The sport’s global governing body has been firefighting since last week’s leak of its plans for Test rugby beyond 2022 and a closed 12-nation competition with no promotion or relegation were shot down by leading players including Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell, and Kieran Read under the auspices of the International Rugby Players.