Six Nations format will be changing from 2026
12/15/2024 04:47 PM
World Rugby has greenlit a sweeping overhaul of the international rugby calendar, including the establishment of a new global league competition.
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Set to debut in 2026, this biennial tournament will feature two divisions, each comprising 12 teams. Promotion and relegation mechanics are slated to kick in from 2030 onwards. Match fixtures are earmarked for the July and November international windows.
Alongside this initiative, World Rugby’s council has endorsed an expansion of the World Cup to accommodate 24 teams by the 2027 edition in Australia. The revised format will introduce six pools of four teams and introduce a round of 16 prior to the quarterfinals.
As part of this calendar revamp, the Six Nations championship is set to undergo a reduction in duration, from seven weeks to six, starting in 2026. One week of rest will be removed, although the specific week has yet to be determined. This adjustment aims to free up an international weekend in November for the Nations Cup.
The top division of the Nations Cup will be managed by the Six Nations and SANZAR unions, while World Rugby will oversee the second division. The pinnacle of this competition will be a final clash between teams from the northern and southern hemispheres.
World Rugby asserts that this new structure, which preserves the traditional format of British and Irish Lions tours, will facilitate an increase in fixtures between rugby powerhouses and emerging nations alike.
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Here's Who the 2003 World Cup Legends Are Now Settling Down With
Here’s a look at who these iconic players have settled down with and what they’ve been up to since lifting the trophy.
Jason Robinson – The Rugby Flyer Who Found Love in Sian Griffin
Jason Robinson's first marriage to Amanda ended in divorce, and together they have six children, including Cameron, Jemimah, Joseph, and Lewis. In June 2017, Robinson married Sian Griffin, with whom he has a son, Noah, who is making waves as a footballer with Manchester City.
Robinson's career post-rugby has been diverse, from coaching rugby league to a brief stint as Sale Sharks’ head coach. Meanwhile, his sons, Lewis Tierney and Patrick Robinson, have thrived in rugby league and professional cycling.
Will Greenwood – The Centre Who's Been a Rock for His Family
Will Greenwood's marriage to Caroline has seen highs and lows, including the heartbreaking loss of their son Freddie in 2002, who passed away just 45 minutes after birth. As patrons of Child Bereavement UK, they have turned their grief into a mission to support others.
The former centre has worked extensively in media, offering insightful commentary during the 2007 World Cup and becoming a leading pundit for Sky Sports. He also writes a column for the Daily Telegraph.
Mike Tindall – From Rugby Glory to Royal Romance
Mike Tindall's romance with Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, became public in 2003, but it was in 2010 that the couple got engaged. They now have two daughters, Mia and Lena.
The couple's relationship has been closely followed by the media, especially after their chance meeting during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Ben Cohen – The Winger Who Found New Love and a New Mission
Ben Cohen's first marriage to Abby Blayney ended in 2016 after years of estrangement, with the couple sharing twin daughters, Harriette and Isabelle. Shortly after the divorce, Cohen and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff revealed they were expecting a child together, and their daughter Milena was born in January 2016.
Cohen is also a passionate anti-bullying advocate, having founded the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which aims to raise awareness about the psychological impact of bullying, including homophobia.
Jonny Wilkinson – The Golden Boot and Shelley's Quiet Romance
Jonny Wilkinson, the man who kicked England to victory in 2003, married Shelley Jenkins in 2013 after eight years of dating. The private ceremony in the French resort town of Bandol was attended by just two guests, including Wilkinson's mother.
The couple welcomed their son, James, in 2019 while living in France. Wilkinson has since embraced a media career, joining ITV for coverage of the 2024 Six Nations.
Matt Dawson – From A Question of Sport to Instagram Fitness Fame
Matt Dawson's personal life has seen some ups and downs. After his breakup with Carolin Hauskeller, with whom he has two sons, Dawson found new love with personal trainer and content creator Elizabeth Kerry.
With over 11,000 Instagram followers, Kerry shares plenty of fitness content, and Dawson has been happily dating her. His career post-rugby has included stints as a television presenter, most notably on A Question of Sport, and he continues to be a familiar face in the media.
Lawrence Dallaglio – From Scandal to Stronger Than Ever
Lawrence Dallaglio's relationship with Alice, a former model and art student, has endured for over two decades, despite a rocky patch during the 2003 World Cup when Alice had an affair with one of Dallaglio's friends. They reconciled, married in 2005, and now have three children. Dallaglio's influence in rugby remains strong, as he continues to be an authoritative voice in the sport since retiring in 2008.
Rugby Quiz:
Rugby is a sport of grit, skill, and resilience, and it's the players who endure season after season, test after test, who embody these qualities best.
Today, we're counting down the top 100 men's capped players in rugby history – athletes whose dedication to their teams has etched their names into the record books.
From powerhouse props to fleet-footed wings, these players have amassed an astonishing number of caps, representing their countries time and again on the world's biggest stage.
Whether they've thrilled fans with dazzling runs, anchored the scrum, or inspired with steadfast leadership, each has contributed to the legacy of rugby in unforgettable ways.
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