It’s hard to pin down where it came from and was likely a confluence of not specifically related events, but Six Nations Rugby have been forced to issue a statement this afternoon denying that Italy is being lined up for the ultimate chop tackle out of the tournament.
The statement in full reads:
“Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six Unions and Federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating Union. All its energy is focused on the current strategic discussions regarding the July and November international windows and structure of the global season, and to ensure a positive outcome for the development of the game.”
South Africa this week committed to the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the Rugby Championship until 2025 while New Zealand Rugby Union are on the brink of a more than €100 million investment from private equity investors Silver Lake.
Those announcements coming in the wake of Italy’s 34th consecutive defeat in the Six nations were enough to set a few hares running.
Italy are an equal stakeholder in the tournament though so it is likely a call was made from Rome to nip this one in the bud. For now at least.
