Mike Tindall, a 2003 England World Cup winner, has declared it is ‘very much game on’ for R360 – the rugby breakaway league he is masterminding – to launch next year.
Tindall and R360 are attempting to create ‘generational change’ in the sport by introducing a new competition made up of eight franchise teams who will play matches all round the world.
Daily Mail Sport understands that close to 200 players from across the globe have signed pre-contract agreements to join from 2026.
Tindall, leading rugby agents Mark Spoors and Leigh Hinton and former Bath lock Stuart Hooper are the men behind R360’s plans. They have already attracted a number of rugby’s top stars.
In a video message to the players who have agreed to join R360 – one which has been seen by Daily Mail Sport – Tindall emphasises he is confident of the league getting off the ground. ‘We are very much game on for season 2026,’ said the ex-England centre.
‘I just want to take a moment to say hello and welcome to the R360 family. This is obviously something very, very close to my heart. I’m genuinely honoured and incredibly excited by the response we’ve had so far. Our vision hasn’t changed since day one – to change the game for you (players), the fans and for the good of the game.
Players who toured with the British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer – such as Maro Itoje – have been approached
‘We want to help grow the sport we love by creating the most exciting version of it ever – one that can connects with a whole new generation of fans by taking the best of sporting entertainment to create something truly, truly special.’
R360 wants to work alongside Test rugby. It believes it can bridge the gap between the estimated 800million fans who follow the international game and the 24m with a passion for rugby at club level. But England players who do join won’t be able to represent Steve Borthwick’s national side as well. RFU rules state to feature at Test level, stars must be employed by a PREM Rugby side. There can be no doubt, however, that players are attracted by what R360 is offering. Contracts of up to £750,000 are on the table while the fact R360 will involve fewer games than a traditional club domestic season is also being well received.
R360 organisers have so far stayed quiet on their plans in public.
But Tindall’s video message is understood to have been sent to hundreds of male and female players across the world who have signed initial R360 deals.
It appears to be the first official message of its kind from the league.
R360 also wants to launch four women’s sides in time.
‘Like you, I am seeing a lot of speculation right now,’ Tindall said in the player-designed clip. ‘The reason we haven’t come out publicly just yet is because we have a clear, phased plan from players, coaches and team staff recruitment to stadiums, sponsorship and media partners. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made and I’m very, very pleased to say we’re on plan. And in some areas, we’re ahead of plan.’
R360 shared its plans in detail with World Rugby earlier this month.
Tindall and Co remain confident of receiving sanctioning from the game’s governing body when its Council next meets in June next year.
Only players who are out of contract with their existing clubs in the summer of 2026 can join R360 for its first season. But Tindall and Co do have funds to buy out ongoing deals. England stars Fin Smith, Tom Willis and George Martin are among those whose club deals expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
So too are Wales aces Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.
R360 is also understood to be looking at more senior England stars including George Ford, Jamie George and Henry Slade.
‘We have been pleased to provide over 100 pages of material to World Rugby and respect the confidentiality of their processes,’ Tindall told R360’s players.
‘While we did put a huge amount of information in there, there were certain elements that conclude after World Rugby Council’s next meeting.
‘We need to work to their timetable. They only meet twice a year. So, we are now looking forward to submitting our full plans ahead of their next session in 2026. Our mission is to communicate with you (players) first, so you’ll be starting to hear a lot more from me.
‘The beauty of this project is we are building it together.’
