Rugby Club World Cup to start in 2025 - report
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The first Rugby Club World Cup will kick off in 2025, according to a report by the Telegraph.
Sixteen clubs are set to battle it out to be crowned the World's best according to the report with eight northern hemisphere clubs, seven southern hemisphere clubs, and a Japanese side set to compete in the tournament.
The Telegraph's Chief Rugby Union Reporter, Gavin Mairs reveals that the blueprint for a new ‘Club World Cup’ has been agreed upon and will start in 2025.
The sixteen teams are set to be placed in four pools, each playing two matches against teams from the other hemisphere.
The winner of each pool would progress to the semi-finals ahead of a final to crown the best club side in the world.
The competition would take place in the same year as British and Irish Lions' Tours with the knockout rounds of the Champions Cup not taking place, meaning the final of the Premiership can take place earlier than usual.
The report adds that it is expected to be held in European locations for the first tournament and future competitions may be held in one country, for example South Africa.
For the purposes of the competition, the South Africans will be considered as a Northern Hemisphere side as they are set to join the Champions Cup this coming season.
