Rugby breakaway competition R360 delays launch by two years

There has already been strong opposition from unions to the new competition

R360 is fronted by former England international Mike Tindall. Pic: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Rugby’s proposed breakaway R360 competition has announced it will be delaying its launch for two years until 2028.

Fronted by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall, R360 said in a statement that its ambition remains to “complement the rugby calendar”.

However the announcement will raise concerns over the viability of the prospective competition in light of opposition from the sport’s established unions.

Eight leading countries issued a joint statement last month indicating that any players who signed up for R360 would be banned from playing international competitions.

The British and Irish Lions have also intimated that players would be barred from selection, while Australia’s NRL say any leading league players tempted to join the new structure could face a 10-year ban.

However Tindall remains adamant that R360 will overcome its initial issues and make a big impression in two years’ time.

Tindall said: “The decision to shift our launch to 2028 is a strategic decision based on timing.

“Launching under compressed timelines would not meet the standards we set for R360, nor would it deliver the long-term commercial impact that the sport deserves.

“As a board we remain absolutely determined to bring R360 to life at full scale and with maximum global impact.

“We’re building something bold and new that will resonate globally – and we cannot wait to show the world in 2028.”