Mike Tindall’s ambitious plan to revolutionise rugby has been dealt a major blow after two of the sport’s major organisations refused to support it. Mike, who is married to Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, is spearheading the breakaway R360, a proposed franchise league that aims to deliver “generational change in rugby” and transform the sport like never before.
The former England rugby union star is joined by former Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper, sports marketing executive Mark Spoors and lawyer John Loffhagen. Their plans involve creating 12 new franchise sides, each packed with the world’s top rugby stars.
However, after it was announced that the competition would launch next year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the International Rugby Players Association (IRPA) raised objections.
According to The Guardian, the RFU will likely announce this week that male players who sign contracts with R360 will be barred from playing for England.
The outlet said that the union is planning to make a joint staatement with other unions from the northern and southern hemisphere unions.
The RFU has not made its stance on the women’s competition clear; however, it is said to be “adamant” that male players who join R360 will be excluded from playing for England.
Meanwhile, according to The Telegraph, the IRPA – which represents leading international players in the northern and southern hemisphere – did not approve of R360 and reportedly warned its members that the new league and “any associated player contracts are not endorsed by IRPA or IRPA members, and references to IRPA within any contract does not have IRPA permission.”
The statement, which was seen by the newspaper, said: “In recent months, various information has been in the public domain about the proposed R360 competition and we understand that more recently, a proposed draft long form player contract may have been circulated by R360 to players and/or player agents.
“Whilst IRPA and IRPA members have had some discussions with R360 representatives, these conversations have been focused on fact finding to understand the substantive detail about the business model, the competition, its delivery and its interplay with the existing ecosystem. Detailed information about the competition remains outstanding and the competition does not currently have World Rugby regulatory approval.
“IRPA wishes to confirm that the competition and any associated player contracts are not endorsed by IRPA or IRPA members, and references to IRPA within any contract does not have IRPA permission.”
Mr said last week that funding has been secured for the next three years for the tournament, which was originally scheduled to start next September.
He noted that the rebel competition is designed to tackle rugby’s current problems, particularly financial difficulties and dwindling fan engagement.
He said: “Rugby is feeling the fallout of the last few years with financial mismanagement, declining investment in the club game and a product that is struggling to evolve.”
World Rugby’s statement is expected this week.