Six Nations 2026
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@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations 2026:
The best athletes will choose football (soccer)
You can say the same about England (and just about every other country in the world for that matter).
Some athletes in every country will be more suited to a contact sport like rugby, than soccer.
With good development programs, no reason Spain cant end up with a similar athlete participation structure to England.
And you could say that about all countries where soccer is the dominant football code.The reason Spain is more important to the future development of rugby as a sport is because of the financial potential.
The likes of Georgia, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, while they produce great players; at the end of the day they are going to bring virtually nothing to rugby from a financial perspective.
Scotland and Wales are similar in that respect; without the 6N windfall they'd be fucked, and no better off than any other Euro country.
(Except England and France of course, or more specifically the souths of England and France).
So I fully understand the desperation to stay at the big party, even if their on field performances dont warrant it.You're right in that Spain (as an up and coming rugby nation) has significant financial upside going on size, population, addiction to sport etc but the domestic situation in Spain (as far as I can ascertain) is a long way off many other countries and there is little in the way of pathways and nothing in the way of traditional rugby playing - ie nothing much in schools, very few long standing rugby clubs of any note - you know, like a feeder system. It is remarkable how well they are currently doing at international level considering all those headwinds. but look at how long it has taken Japan to become competitive, even on a sporadic basis. Japan has a much longer and stronger association with rugby than Spain, has had tonnes of cash thrown at it, zealous recruitment policies and a very strong financial base. Italy is similar but not as pronounced. Spain is a long way behind in these key metrics. So don't hang your hat on a couple of years on an upward trajectory of the national team - look what has happened in Wales once that team ages.
Looking at the second tier rugby championship in Europe going back as far as 2000, Spain are fourth in the all time honours list, below Georgia, Romania and Portugal. They have never won the thing, they have four Silver medals and 4 Bronzes in 25 years.
Let's see how things pan out before we chuck the baby out with the bathwater.
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See above
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It's hilarious to me when ever people talk about rugby XVs like it's this sleeping giant just waiting to be awakened in countries that don't already embrace it.
Italy have had clubs playing in European competitions for 35+ years, and have been in the 6N since 2000. They have won 17 6N games TOTAL in that time. One win over Scotland who are usually their wooden spoon competitors and suddenly they are signs that it can happen? Setting a low friggen bar there.
Success in rugby XVs need a pretty niche set of circumstances for success. It's never going to be soccer, or shit even basketball (apparently you can find tall skinny freaks everywhere).
The 6N is beautiful for so many reasons and there really is no need to fuck with it. The 2nd tier of European teams often play "tests" in parks that look like club grounds. Untapped billions and global success where 2nd and 4rd tier sides emerge as forces is a myth. The huge money that World Rugby gouges out of people for the World Cup should be going in to providing meaningful competitions for these nations among their own level.
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Shamelessly stolen from Reddit, with apologies @mikethesnow
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It's hilarious to me when ever people talk about rugby XVs like it's this sleeping giant just waiting to be awakened in countries that don't already embrace it.
Italy have had clubs playing in European competitions for 35+ years, and have been in the 6N since 2000. They have won 17 6N games TOTAL in that time. One win over Scotland who are usually their wooden spoon competitors and suddenly they are signs that it can happen? Setting a low friggen bar there.
Success in rugby XVs need a pretty niche set of circumstances for success. It's never going to be soccer, or shit even basketball (apparently you can find tall skinny freaks everywhere).
The 6N is beautiful for so many reasons and there really is no need to fuck with it. The 2nd tier of European teams often play "tests" in parks that look like club grounds. Untapped billions and global success where 2nd and 4rd tier sides emerge as forces is a myth. The huge money that World Rugby gouges out of people for the World Cup should be going in to providing meaningful competitions for these nations among their own level.
@mariner4life said in Six Nations 2026:
It's hilarious to me when ever people talk about rugby XVs like it's this sleeping giant just waiting to be awakened in countries that don't already embrace it.
Italy have had clubs playing in European competitions for 35+ years, and have been in the 6N since 2000. They have won 17 6N games TOTAL in that time. One win over Scotland who are usually their wooden spoon competitors and suddenly they are signs that it can happen? Setting a low friggen bar there.
Last year in tests they beat Wales Scotland and Australia.
In 2024 they beat Scotland Wales and Japan.
They've also beaten South Africa in the last decade (I'm old enough to call that recent).
They've also beaten Ireland and France in the 6N (but not so recently). -
great, absolutely none of that refutes my point. Even a little bit.
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great, absolutely none of that refutes my point. Even a little bit.
@mariner4life said in Six Nations 2026:
great, absolutely none of that refutes my point. Even a little bit.
You mentioned one team not the other 2.
Secondly, some articles do predict better things for Italy
https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cy8p8xd4k0eo
"Captain Michele Lamaro believes Italy have changed perceptions and are now taken more seriously by other teams in the Six Nations."https://www.planetrugby.com/news/six-nations-prediction-italy-to-replicate-highest-ever-finish-despite-challenging-fixture-list
"Once the whipping boys of the Six Nations, the Italians have worked diligently to shake that tag, and 2026 could finally be the year that they do so for good."
"Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus boldly predicted that the Azzurri would finish in their highest-ever position on the Six Nations table this year.
“If I can make a prediction, Italy will finish two or three in the Six Nations,” he said last year. “For me, they are a team that is on the up from what we’ve experienced from them. So we didn’t have an easy ride, and next year we’re coming back again.”" -
I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
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I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
@mikedogz said in Six Nations 2026:
I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
This is what WRs plan is.
We have the Nations Cup this year for the first time, most of us have heard of that.
6N + Sanzar4 + Japan + Fiji = 12
Played in July and November.
From what I can gather the revenue is to be split evenly (with extra depending on where you place).
This is a new concept for rugby, and is a big deal for a nation like Fiji.
Fiji played two huge prestige internationals against France and England at the end of last year; but i'm thinking they got fuck-all moolah out of it (expenses only), typical cuntos euros.Running in parallel to this is the Nations Championship.
Also 12 teams, this year : Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe.This set-up is envisaged to run in non-RWC years.
Possibly one reason they expanded the RWC to 24 teams.
Doesn't affect the 6N; the Euro tossers can still have their thing; and Sanzar can still do whatever.
And . . . this is just about the best part (after the equal revenue share) . . . there will be promotion and RELEGATION!
Be a happy day when I see one of those tosser 6N teams get RELEGATED!As the international game is what seems to be generating most rugby revenue; the concept is quite good.
But, we'll see. -
@mikedogz said in Six Nations 2026:
I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
This is what WRs plan is.
We have the Nations Cup this year for the first time, most of us have heard of that.
6N + Sanzar4 + Japan + Fiji = 12
Played in July and November.
From what I can gather the revenue is to be split evenly (with extra depending on where you place).
This is a new concept for rugby, and is a big deal for a nation like Fiji.
Fiji played two huge prestige internationals against France and England at the end of last year; but i'm thinking they got fuck-all moolah out of it (expenses only), typical cuntos euros.Running in parallel to this is the Nations Championship.
Also 12 teams, this year : Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe.This set-up is envisaged to run in non-RWC years.
Possibly one reason they expanded the RWC to 24 teams.
Doesn't affect the 6N; the Euro tossers can still have their thing; and Sanzar can still do whatever.
And . . . this is just about the best part (after the equal revenue share) . . . there will be promotion and RELEGATION!
Be a happy day when I see one of those tosser 6N teams get RELEGATED!As the international game is what seems to be generating most rugby revenue; the concept is quite good.
But, we'll see.@mohikamo said in Six Nations 2026:
@mikedogz said in Six Nations 2026:
I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
This is what WRs plan is.
We have the Nations Cup this year for the first time, most of us have heard of that.
6N + Sanzar4 + Japan + Fiji = 12
Played in July and November.
From what I can gather the revenue is to be split evenly (with extra depending on where you place).
This is a new concept for rugby, and is a big deal for a nation like Fiji.
Fiji played two huge prestige internationals against France and England at the end of last year; but i'm thinking they got fuck-all moolah out of it (expenses only), typical cuntos euros.Running in parallel to this is the Nations Championship.
Also 12 teams, this year : Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe.This set-up is envisaged to run in non-RWC years.
Possibly one reason they expanded the RWC to 24 teams.
Doesn't affect the 6N; the Euro tossers can still have their thing; and Sanzar can still do whatever.
And . . . this is just about the best part (after the equal revenue share) . . . there will be promotion and RELEGATION!
Be a happy day when I see one of those tosser 6N teams get RELEGATED!As the international game is what seems to be generating most rugby revenue; the concept is quite good.
But, we'll see.Said in a Darth Vader voice - "The bitterness s strong in this one".
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I wonder if there is a space for a rugby version of the Euros. The top four from the six nations would automatically qualify. There could be chance for a team like Georgia to get on a good run and beat some higher ranked teams. Ireland might get past a Quarterfinal for a change.
I also wonder what a combined team from the tier 2 European teams would be like. Get all of the fully pro players from those countries together and play the Southern Hemisphere teams on tour.
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When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
@cgrant said in Six Nations 2026:
When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
That's why we have a hard-on for Spain, becuse they do have capacity, and it aint that far.
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When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
@cgrant said in Six Nations 2026:
When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
Heading there tomorrow
I'll find out
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@cgrant said in Six Nations 2026:
When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
Heading there tomorrow
I'll find out
@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations 2026:
@cgrant said in Six Nations 2026:
When France or England play a game in Murrayfield, Cardiff or Dublin, more than 15,000 of their fans make the trip. Does Tbilissi has the required hotel capacity ? Travelling to Edinburgh or Dublin is OK, but to Tbilissi ?
Heading there tomorrow
I'll find out
Report back Mike. Minimum 800 words.
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Hate to be proven right.
But I told you this comp was a poor standard this year.
Even a Razor Robertson-coached ABs team put Scotland away.
@game_film said in Six Nations 2026:
Hate to be proven right.
But I told you this comp was a poor standard this year.
Even a Razor Robertson-coached ABs team put Scotland away.
Don’t fucking watch then
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Hate to be proven right.
But I told you this comp was a poor standard this year.
Even a Razor Robertson-coached ABs team put Scotland away.
@game_film said in Six Nations 2026:
Hate to be proven right.
But I told you this comp was a poor standard this year.
Even a Razor Robertson-coached ABs team put Scotland away.
Well thats a good thing because you’re not.
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@sparky said in Six Nations 2026:
Unless Scotland and Wales get their act together and sort themselves out, Georgia and Spain will overhaul them in the world rankings in the next five years.
It will become faintly ridiculous if the 6 Nations isn't a competition between the best Rugby teams in Europe. The gravy train for Scotland and Wales won't necessarily last forever.
I think there are arguments for both viewpoints re the 6N inclusivity or lack thereof.. Firstly in that whilst Wales now and Scotland previously are/have been poor, they are and were, still above all the "lesser" European nations in the rankings. Secondly as we have seen with Scotland and no doubt will with Wales, these things are cyclical. I would fully expect Wales to improve at a rate greater than say Georgia over the next couple of years and would also expect their ceiling to be much higher.. There is also the popularity, tradition and financial aspect of the tournament. The 6N is so financially successful in the main due to the popularity and tradition. If you took any of the current teams out in favour of say Georgia or Spain, the tournament would likely lose a significant home gate and very likely a significant loss on the TV rights. I can't see any of the 6N putting up with that scenario without even considering a less selfish view of wishing the retain the status quo with their traditional foes. And here, you mention Wales and Scotland and the gravy train, but they are a full part of providing that gravy train. People pay a lot of money to go to Twickenham to see England v Wales and Scotland, They don't pay the same amount to see England play Argentina or Fiji, let alone Spain and the same is true of Dublin, Paris and Rome as well.
Against all that though is the need to grow the game world-wide and to bring other nations up to competitiveness. Not only is this a noble ambition, it is also beneficial for all rugby playing nations to have even greater numbers of competitive nations. Imagine having a World Cup where you had 7 or 8 possible finalists instead of the 2-4 that we have had since inception of the WRC.
However in building this stronger and larger base it has to be mangled in a way that doesn't damage the current game, which is already teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. We also have to accept that rugby cannot follow the model of football in the number of games we ask the papers to play, there just aren't the number of players, nor the money to sustain the required fixture list if much more nations are included on a regular basis.
Something must and should be done to improve the competitiveness of the lower level nations but there is only so much to give from the current top tier sides and in truth the players are already giving too much.
I'm no expert on the SH situation but from an outside view we can see that there are some considerably more competitive teams in Fiji and Japan and sometimes Samoa, being a long way above say Georgia. Barring Japan though, the SH has probaly even worse financial issues in including these sides as well as the infrrastructure problems and the corruption of the governing bodies.
So I guess what I'm saying is that yes progress needs to be speeded up and there must be a genuine pathway at sometime for lesser nations to improve and compete, but it can't be done on a knee-jerk basis. The current International game is the goos that lays the golden egg - you kill that and you kill the game.
Oh and I know that Japan is not a SH team but, well, you know.
@Catogrande said in Six Nations 2026:
However in building this stronger and larger base it has to be mangled in a way that doesn't damage the current game,
Probably why World Rugby gave Mark Robinson the Chief of Rugby role.
