'My preference is to move to the summer to align with the southern hemisphere'
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has backed moves to combine two international windows. World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont is keen for Tests between southern and northern hemisphere teams to take place in consecutive months with October and November the suggested option, and for there to be a competition at the heart of it.
Productive talks have already taken place between the Six Nations and Sanzaar bodies.
“I really hope we do get an aligned calendar,” Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live. “My preference is to move to the summer to align with the southern hemisphere and have a really competitive element in the October and November window, as we do with the Six Nations.
“It seems like there is a will from a lot of people to make that happen. It would almost be like a World Cup, but you are flying to the southern hemisphere countries and then coming back to host southern hemisphere teams.
“Having a competitive element – whether it is a cup or league – would add something tangible. It would be great to get the players together for a longer period.
“Just now with the three Test windows – Six Nations, July and November – it has worked OK.
“But from an international perspective to move July into October would be better for continuity and in terms of seeing the players develop, but also it works for the clubs, in that they don’t have to have three Test windows in the year.
“Two Test windows means the clubs get a really good long run with their players.”
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Hey Finn, Well done to the Junior Wallabies…a win is a win but it was a wet and scrappy game. Would be interesting to hear your opinion on two things from watching the game at the Not So Sunny Coast Stadium. Firstly, what is your opinion on the rule change of being able to call The Mark from a kick off and what is the reason for the change? Secondly, your thoughts on the lack of action for the high tackle on the SA fullback. I understand the TMO ruled that he had fallen into the tackle and the tackler didn’t have time to adjust but it was clearly shoulder on head and the Aussie 11 had not made any attempt to adjust his tackle height leading into the tackle. In my opinion he was never going to get his tackle technique correct to complete a safe tackle. If that tackle was made at a more senior and more scrutinised level would we have seen the same result?
Go to commentsI don’t think this has been ventilated enough. Discuss. Perhaps the lesson in all of this is that, in the game of life, one should do all the talking on the field of play. And in the game of rugby, what’s said on the field - stays on the field. Take care of yourselves. And each other.
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