Is a rugby union breakaway league possible? | 'It's not going to happen!'

Private equity firm CVC is reportedly planning to launch a breakaway rugby union league featuring some of the sport's top clubs

The new league is said to be backed by CVC, which has a history of investing in sports properties, and would involve clubs from England, France, South Africa, and potentially New Zealand and Australia.

The news has been met with a mixed reaction from the rugby community, with some clubs and players expressing interest in the new league, while others have voiced their opposition.

World Rugby, the sport's governing body, has said it is "firmly against" any breakaway league and has threatened to ban players and clubs that participate in it

The RFU, the English rugby union governing body, has also said it will not support any breakaway league and has threatened to withdraw funding from clubs that participate in it.

The LNR, the French rugby union governing body, has said it is "open to discussing" a breakaway league but has not yet committed to supporting it.

The SANZAAR, the governing body for rugby in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, has said it is "monitoring" the situation but has not yet taken a position on a breakaway league.

Several of the world's top rugby clubs, including Saracens, Racing 92, and the Stormers, have reportedly been approached about joining the breakaway league

However, several other clubs, including Wasps, Gloucester, and Toulon, have said they are not interested in joining the breakaway league.

The breakaway league is reportedly being planned to launch in 2024 and would feature 12 teams from across the world.

The league would be played over a 10-month period and would offer a significant financial incentive to the clubs involved.

However, the breakaway league is likely to face significant opposition from World Rugby, the RFU, and other rugby governing bodies

It is also unclear whether the breakaway league would be able to attract the best players in the world, as many players are likely to be reluctant to jeopardize their chances of playing for their national teams.

The breakaway league is a significant development in the world of rugby union and could have a major impact on the sport.

However, it is still early days and it is unclear whether the breakaway league will be able to get off the ground.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen whether a rugby union breakaway league will ever become a reality.

However, the fact that CVC is reportedly planning to launch a breakaway league is a sign that the sport is at a crossroads.

World Rugby and the other rugby governing bodies will need to work together to ensure that the sport remains united and does not fragment into different leagues.