World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin Expresses Doubts on Rebel League Viability, Prioritizes Nations Championship

Maro Itoje, a prominent figure in rugby, has stated his unwillingness to jeopardize his international career should joining a new franchise render him ineligible for Test selection. Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s CEO, indicated his focus remains on the introduction of the Nations Championship in 2026, which he described as the sport’s “golden prize,” rather than being diverted by “Formula 1 style” rebel leagues. Gilpin’s remarks came in response to recent media coverage suggesting a new breakaway franchise league is seeking to recruit leading rugby players. These proposals, first reported by The Times, asserted that top global players would receive substantial financial offers alongside a condensed playing schedule. According to these reports, the appeal of financial rewards—including rumored offers of 40 £1m-a-season contracts for marquee players—and extended rest periods are anticipated to attract renowned athletes. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Gilpin further stated that World Rugby would “continue to be cautious” regarding potential investment from Qatar for the Nations Championship. This competition, set to commence in 2026, will comprise 24 teams organized into two divisions, with promotion and relegation mechanisms becoming active from 2030. Initial responses to the proposed rebel league have been varied, with England’s Maro Itoje stating his primary focus remains on representing his country. Although a new worldwide franchise competition would be scheduled outside international windows, the varying selection criteria of individual nations could impact the eligibility of participating players for Test rugby. As reported by The Times, the envisioned new league would feature eight men’s franchise teams, competing in a 14-round global season, with each series of matches hosted in a distinct city. Gilpin recognized that the men’s rugby calendar is “incredibly congested” but reiterated Itoje’s view that international rugby should take precedence. He stated, “You’ve seen that reaction from players. Players are prioritising playing for their nation, it’s not like other sports where maybe a franchise league is an answer to providing more riches.” Gilpin added, “Whilst we always welcome innovation and investment in the game, at any level, we want that to be sustainable.” He concluded, “That’s a big issue for the sport as a whole.” Qatar Airways has increased its visibility in the sponsorship of Test rugby over recent years. Gilpin underscored that World Rugby’s primary objective was a “huge push across the whole sport to introduce the Nations Championships in 2026.” It is understood that Sanzaar, organizers of the Rugby Championship, and the Six Nations group are engaged in discussions to potentially host a final edition of the new tournament in Qatar. Although World Rugby is not directly participating in these negotiations, Gilpin affirmed that the governing body would endorse investment into rugby “in a sustainable way.” Gilpin commented, “As long as those conversations are leading to more money in the sport in a credible way over time, then that’s good for everybody.” Addressing inquiries about concerns surrounding investment from the Middle East, including issues of sportswashing, human rights, and rugby’s LGBTQ+ community, Gilpin responded: “We absolutely have those concerns anywhere we go in the world.” He continued, “I think we always have to be careful, we present ourselves to players and fans as a values-led sport.” Gilpin further elaborated, “We’ve absolutely got to be true to that, that’s why, maybe rugby takes a little bit more cautious steps in this space than other sports do. That’s the right thing for us. We’re going to continue to be cautious, but we’ve also got to be realistic about where are the investment opportunities for the game.”