The International Rugby Players association says players were not consulted about World Rugby’s controversial new SVNS Series format.
The format has changed drastically since the global lockdown in 2020, with World Rugby on 2 May revealing a new three-division competition model from next season that reduces the number of teams in the top tier from 12 to eight.
Former England, USA and Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday has led criticism of the changes, calling it a “disgraceful, unprofessional and self-serving decision by those who have been given the responsibility of running sevens at World Rugby”.
In a statement this week, the IRP said players were only made aware of the new format “at a later stage. This was directly before these proposals were submitted for ratification by World Rugby’s executive council.
“Earlier discussions had taken place, but discussions about the exact nature of the [new] model had not included players.”
OPINION: Make Sevens Great Again
IRP CEO Omar Hassanein said players should be part of any discussions about such significant changes.
“Players understand the game better than anyone else and therefore need to be involved at every step to ensure that the best outcome is achieved. This must include all discussions, not just the structure of tournaments and issues of player welfare, but also the commercial aspects of the game.”
ALSO: Ireland scraps men’s sevens
On Wednesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union said it would scrap its men’s sevens programme at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Ireland finished second on the 2023-24 SVNS Sevens standings and 11th this past season, and would have played in the second division next season under the new format.
Photo: David van der Sandt/Gallo Images
