World League controversy: 'Nothing has been decided yet, and I doubt it will' - Pichot

Augustin Pichot has been tweeting about the unfolding World League controversy this afternoon - suggesting that it is anything but a done deal.

News broke last night of further details of the World League and how it will be run, and the plans have been met with widespread condemnation.

The New Zealand Herald reported that a 12-team World League – where teams from the Rugby Championship and Six Nations will be joined by the United States and Japan – is set to go ahead after leading nations came to an agreement. An unknown broadcaster has also offered to back the concept in a deal that will provide up to NZ$14m for each nation every season.

Rumours of the proposal have been floating around for several months and there is thought to be some urgency to sign off on the concept with plans to launch by 2020.

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The new format will reportedly see all 12 participating nations meet once a year, with a finals series contested at the end of the year.

Senior players from around the globe - including Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Kieran Read - were united in voicing their concern about the proposed format, largely to do with player welfare.

Pichot has been reacting to the controversy via his Twitter account and has apparently broken from the World Rugby partyline.

The World Rugby Vice-President has positioned himself as a champion of Tier 2 nations since taking up the role, and has become something of a voice of descent within an organisation that has traditionally been dominated by the rugby world's richest unions.