From 2012, most years within the schedule will involve a two or three Test series against only one visiting nation in June, with midweek matches also set to be incorporated into the touring side’s itinerary at the agreement of the respective unions.
A core component of the new programme is an integrated Test schedule for targeted ‘Strategic Investment Unions’, providing more ranking tests between Tier 2 nations (in North America, Japan and the Pacific Islands) and touring Tier 1 sides.
“The approval of this new global schedule represents an historic landmark for the Game and is the culmination of extensive work that kicked off at the Woking Forum in 2007 where the global Rugby family committed to finding an appropriate schedule that adds value to the June window, provides the catalyst for the growth of our sport and is acceptable to all the Game’s major stakeholders,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“The development of a global schedule is not an easy task. However, this schedule will lay the foundations for Rugby to continue its phenomenal growth throughout the next decade and beyond. I would like to thank all the Unions for their full collaboration and commitment to drafting a schedule that is in the best interests of the Game.”
The IRB also announced the appointment of global sporting events consultancy pmplegacy to assist in developing tournament-specific plans for Rugby World Cups in 2015 (England) and 2019 (Japan).
