The Six Nations organisers have claimed they are not currently planning to admit South Africa to the championship despite continued suggestions the Springboks want to join the competition after 2025.
Organisers have always been publicly lukewarm to the idea of expansion but after it emerged that South Africa had put the southern hemisphere’s governing body, Sanzaar, on notice that they were exploring the option of joining the Six Nations, they have released a statement insisting they “are not entertaining any discussion” over expansion.
They have also moved to quash the idea that South Africa are set to replace Italy as opposed to join the existing six teams in a seven-nation competition. Given Italy would have to agree to being removed from the competition that was always an unlikely proposition even in the face of an astronomical financial offer.
The statement stops short of ruling out South Africa ever joining the championship but spells out that the current priority is the restructuring of the global calendar and the remodelling of the July and November international windows. Key meetings will take place next month over a revamped global competition to be held every two years from 2024.
“Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six unions and federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating union,” read the statement. “All its energy is focused on the current strategic discussions regarding the July and November international windows and structure of the global season, and to ensure a positive outcome for the development of the game.”
Meanwhile, England’s former assistant John Mitchell will square off against Eddie Jones’s side later this year as well as at the 2023 World Cup after he was appointed to Japan’s coaching staff. Mitchell left Jones’s team abruptly last summer, three months after signing a contract extension, before joining Wasps. He denied a falling-out with Jones precipitated his departure, insisting instead that the drain of international rugby was proving too much.
He will join up with his fellow New Zealander Jamie Joseph as a defence coach on a part-time basis, maintaining his role with Wasps. Japan have been drawn in the same World Cup pool as England and are due at Twickenham in November. “This is a great opportunity to add value to Japan winning Test matches through growing their defence and understanding how it plays a critical part in the way we want to attack,” said Mitchell.
