World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has insisted players will ‘vote with their feet’ if joining the game’s proposed new rebel league means they cannot represent their countries too.
Mail Sport this week revealed the latest on R360’s plans to shake up rugby’s established order, with Manchester United and Liverpool owners the Glazers and Fenway Sports Group, as well as Red Bull, ready to buy into the tournament as franchise owners.
The first season of R360 is slated to start in September 2026.
Home-based English players who join the rebel competition – where contracts of up to $1million-a-season are being offered – would have to give up international rugby to do so.
That’s because RFU rules state players must be employed by a Premiership club to represent Steve Borthwick’s national side.
‘We know players want to play international rugby. It is the pinnacle of the game,’ said Gilpin, speaking in Australia on Tuesday.
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has had his say on rugby’s new proposed rebel league
Liverpool owner John W Henry and his Fenway Sports Group are eyeing up an R360 franchise
The Glazer family, who own Manchester United with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are also interested
‘It’s important whatever is getting endorsed and invested in gives players that opportunity.
‘Whatever doesn’t give players that opportunity, the players will vote with their feet on that.
‘We’ve got to make sure whatever competitions players are going to play in, they can play in those big moments. They want to and the fans want that too.
‘In England, if you don’t play Premiership Rugby, you’re not selected for the national team other than in some very exceptional circumstances.
‘There are different versions of that around the world.
‘That’s a question national federations need to consider.’
Given the lucrative money, as well as numerous other welfare benefits including fewer games on offer with R360, it is likely some players will be willing to give up Test rugby to join.
Gilpin believes any external investment into rugby from the likes of Red Bull would be welcomed, so long as it benefits the sport as a whole and not just a few individuals.
Gilpin believes players will ‘vote with their feet’ on R360 if they cannot play international rugby
Representing your country and the Lions is the pinnacle for many. Pictured: Tommy Freeman
He added he would be keen to engage with R360’s driving forces in 2003 England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and leading agent Mark Spoors as soon as possible.
‘We need to have a dialogue with those guys when they are ready to do that. Rugby needs investment,’ Gilpin said.
‘Rugby is in a really competitive environment. Around the world, every sport is competing in an ever more difficult attention economy.
‘Investment into the game is great.
‘As long as that investment is driving into the right areas and creating a more financially sustainable game for players and for the wider ecosystem, then we encourage it.
‘We’ve got to understand what that means in the R360 case.’
