Paul Rees considers the implications of a biennial 12-team international tournament due to begin in 2026

It has taken years to agree, but from 2026 there will be a biennial global rugby tournament competed for by the 10 tier one nations and two from the emerging ranks. There is nothing like a financial crisis to focus minds.
The tournament will give a competitive edge to the summer and autumn international windows. The upgrade to a three-Test series worked to an extent, as Ireland in New Zealand and England in Australia showed last summer, but the Tests in Europe remained one-offs and were...