Inaugural IRB Nations Cup Schedule Announced
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced the format and schedule for the inaugural IRB Nations Cup that kicks-off in Portugal on June 13. The competition brings together ‘A’ sides from Tier 1 Unions Argentina and Italy as well as Test sides from Tier 3 Unions Portugal and Russia.
“The Nations Cup is a new IRB tournament funded as part of the US $50 million three-year, global strategic investment programme that was launched last August,” said International Rugby Board Head of Rugby Services Mark Egan.
Increased competition
“The goal of the global strategic investment programme is to increase the competitiveness of the World Game and Rugby World Cup through the introduction of a number of high performance, infrastructure and tournament initiatives. To this end the IRB is committed to investing US $5.6 million in new international competitions for Tier 1, 2 and 3 Nations over the next three years.”
“The Nations Cup is the fourth new international competition to be introduced by the IRB this year following the Pacific Rugby Cup, North America 4 and Pacific 5 Nations competitions, and is designed to provide an expanded match programme for Tier 1 ‘A’ sides, while also allowing flexibility to provide high level international rugby for Unions such as Russia and Portugal. The IRB could look to expand this competition in the future to include more ‘A’ sides,” added Egan.
Investment
Both Portugal and Russia compete in Division 1 of the IRB supported European Nations Cup (ENC) and have been identified by the IRB as key Tier 3 Unions for investment. Portugal will receive US $675,000 over three years for strategic initiatives, while Russia will receive a one-off payment of US $75,000 for special project funding. The investment comes on top of the US $150,000 annual development grants which the Tier 3 Unions currently receive from the IRB.
Exciting development
Participation in the Nations Cup is an exciting development for Russia, who recently announced Government-backed plans to expand and renovate sporting facilities in the country including proposals for new rugby facilities. The Union is also developing a new strategic plan for Rugby in the country to ensure that maximum benefit is made of such plans.
“This is the first time that such an international Rugby competition has been held in Portugal and the implementation of a highly competitive IRB Nations Cup tournament is not just an exciting development for the four participating Unions, but also for the wider Rugby community,” said Egan.
Round One of the IRB Nations Cup kicks-off when Argentina A face Italy A and Russia face hosts Portugal in Lisbon on June 13. Two further rounds will be played over a two-week period before the inaugural IRB Nations Cup champions are crowned.
IRB Nations Cup schedule
Round One
Tuesday June 13
1600 Argentina A v Italy A
1800 Russia v Portugal
Round Two
Sunday June 18
1500 Argentina A v Russia
1700 Portugal v Italy A
Round Three
Saturday June 24
1500 Italy A v Russia
1700 Portugal v Argentina A
All matches will be played at Lisbon University Stadium.
“The Nations Cup is a new IRB tournament funded as part of the US $50 million three-year, global strategic investment programme that was launched last August,” said International Rugby Board Head of Rugby Services Mark Egan.
Increased competition
“The goal of the global strategic investment programme is to increase the competitiveness of the World Game and Rugby World Cup through the introduction of a number of high performance, infrastructure and tournament initiatives. To this end the IRB is committed to investing US $5.6 million in new international competitions for Tier 1, 2 and 3 Nations over the next three years.”
“The Nations Cup is the fourth new international competition to be introduced by the IRB this year following the Pacific Rugby Cup, North America 4 and Pacific 5 Nations competitions, and is designed to provide an expanded match programme for Tier 1 ‘A’ sides, while also allowing flexibility to provide high level international rugby for Unions such as Russia and Portugal. The IRB could look to expand this competition in the future to include more ‘A’ sides,” added Egan.
Investment
Both Portugal and Russia compete in Division 1 of the IRB supported European Nations Cup (ENC) and have been identified by the IRB as key Tier 3 Unions for investment. Portugal will receive US $675,000 over three years for strategic initiatives, while Russia will receive a one-off payment of US $75,000 for special project funding. The investment comes on top of the US $150,000 annual development grants which the Tier 3 Unions currently receive from the IRB.
Exciting development
Participation in the Nations Cup is an exciting development for Russia, who recently announced Government-backed plans to expand and renovate sporting facilities in the country including proposals for new rugby facilities. The Union is also developing a new strategic plan for Rugby in the country to ensure that maximum benefit is made of such plans.
“This is the first time that such an international Rugby competition has been held in Portugal and the implementation of a highly competitive IRB Nations Cup tournament is not just an exciting development for the four participating Unions, but also for the wider Rugby community,” said Egan.
Round One of the IRB Nations Cup kicks-off when Argentina A face Italy A and Russia face hosts Portugal in Lisbon on June 13. Two further rounds will be played over a two-week period before the inaugural IRB Nations Cup champions are crowned.
IRB Nations Cup schedule
Round One
Tuesday June 13
1600 Argentina A v Italy A
1800 Russia v Portugal
Round Two
Sunday June 18
1500 Argentina A v Russia
1700 Portugal v Italy A
Round Three
Saturday June 24
1500 Italy A v Russia
1700 Portugal v Argentina A
All matches will be played at Lisbon University Stadium.