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Bill Beaumont has established an 8 Nations competition. It sees Fiji and Japan joining the six members of the annual 6 Nations tournament. The competition replaces the annual November Internationals that see teams traveling to Europe to play three or four matches.
The cancellation of the matches due to COVID-19 has resulted in alternatives. Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are set to compete in an altered Rugby Championship. They will do so in November an December with all matches taking place in New Zealand; an announcement is forthcoming.
With Rugby Championship teams not traveling north, the re-elected World Rugby chairman, Beaumont is securing an alternative. The BBC reports the plans for the altered November Internationals.
Both Fiji and Japan are arguably Tier 1 level countries. The Japanese defeated both Ireland and Scotland at RWC 2019 and South Africa at RWC 2015. Meanwhile, Fiji recently claimed a November win over France in Paris.
Notwithstanding, the inclusion of Fiji and Japan notably comes at the expense of European teams. Of them Georgia is the notable absentee. The Lelos have struggled to secure matches against Tier 1 sides, notably in comparison to Pacific Island teams, yet Georgia are ranked above both Samoa and Tonga, in addition to Italy.
On the one hand, Georgia backed Agustín Pichot’s candidacy for World Rugby chairman. On the other hand, Fiji and Japan backed Beaumont.
The 8 Nations competition is to see two pools of four. Fiji will take-on England, Ireland and Wales while Japan will play matches against France, Italy and Scotland.
