Europe’s top rugby clubs could oppose plans for a global season, according to a report in the Times.
Last month it was announced that Sanzaar and the Six Nations unions had entered into discussions about the potential of one, streamlined calendar for the global game.
However, Europe’s elite clubs appear set to oppose any proposition during World Rugby’s professional game forum online conference on Monday.
The proposed global season would lead to a drastic alteration and shortening of global domestic leagues – especially in the northern hemisphere – with English Premiership, French Top 14 and the PRO14 containing teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa to be realigned.
According to the Times, Paul Goze of the Ligue National de Rugby, who represent France’s professional clubs, will lead opposition to any proposition.
The Times also reports that the opposition is being supported by some English club owners, and the European Professional Club Rugby organisation, which represents the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup.
In an interview with France’s AFP, Goze earlier made his opposition to a global calendar clear.
‘I would like to know what it adds. Nothing. Just difficulties and problems,’ he said at the time.
He added that rugby needed ‘evolution not a revolution with a progressive proposal to reforming the season to meet the demands of the south without penalising the north’.
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