Top teams to play in midweek at 2015 World Cup

Rugby Union’s leading national teams are ready to play two games in a week at the 2015 World Cup in England after complaints the schedule at the ongoing edition in New Zealand has been weighted against smaller nations.

The International Rugby Board, following a meeting of chairman and chief executives from the sport’s top countries yesterday, said it remained in favour of a 20-team World Cup in England in four years’ time.

But it added its 10 Tier 1 nations were “committed to playing midweek matches during RWC 2015 in order to help achieve a better balance for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Unions”.

Samoa’s Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu accused the IRB, of being unjust in giving his side a tight turnaround ahead of their 17-10 pool defeat by Wales, while the Welsh – who this weekend play France in the semi-finals – had seven days to prepare for the match.

Lucrative deals

While many observers questioned Sapolu’s choice of words, there was widespread sympathy for his basic position.

In the past, the IRB has defended the World Cup schedule on the grounds broadcasters and sponsors, who pay millions of dollars for lucrative rights deals which the board say help fund the growth of the global game, want to see the leading nations playing in the prime weekend viewing slots.

But many pundits have pointed out that while the likes of New Zealand and England, have fully professional squads and extensive backroom staff support, teams less able to cope with two matches in quick succession, such as Samoa, currently face a far more gruelling World Cup schedule.