World&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;unveiled its Pacific Nations Cup format on Tuesday, announcing that the revamped six-team tournament would take place over five weekends from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21. The new format is intended to increase competitiveness by creating a Six Nations or&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;Championship-like tournament for tier-two countries ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which has been expanded to 24 teams from 20.

The United States, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga were confirmed as the six teams for the 2024 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup. They will be split into two pools of three teams each, the governing body said. The final series of this year's competition will be held in Japan, with the U.S. hosting the final in alternate years.

Each team will play at least three matches, with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga making up Pool A, and the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals. The teams in each pool play each other in home or away fixtures in a round-robin format, with the pools themselves created with an eye on reducing long-distance travel and the competition's carbon emissions, World&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;said.

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"The six teams taking part in the competition will benefit from long-term certainty around fixtures, allowing them to optimise their preparations and engage with fans and commercial partners," World&nbsp;Rugby's High-Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui said. "With so much talent in the Pacific Islands, Japan and the two North American teams, fans can expect a tough contest and a great spectacle epitomised with epic finals in Japan."

The fifth-place playoff and semi-finals will be held in Tokyo, with the 2024 final taking place in Osaka. "The model... provides unprecedented certainty of fixtures for unions... while the grand final in the USA every two years is at the heart of our strategy to grow&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;visibility," World&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;CEO Alan Gilpin said.

World Rugby unveiled its Pacific Nations Cup format on Tuesday, announcing that the revamped six-team tournament would take place over five weekends from Aug. 23 to Sept.

World Rugby unveiled its Pacific Nations Cup format on Tuesday, announcing that the revamped six-team tournament would take place over five weekends from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21. The new format is intended to increase competitiveness by creating a Six Nations or Rugby Championship-like tournament for tier-two countries ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which has been expanded to 24 teams from 20. The United States, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga were confirmed as the six teams for the 2024 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup. They will be split into two pools of three teams each, the governing body said. The final series of this year's competition will be held in Japan, with the U.S. hosting the final in alternate years. Each team will play at least three matches, with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga making up Pool A, and the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals. The teams in each pool play each other in home or away fixtures in a round-robin format, with the pools themselves created with an eye on reducing long-distance travel and the competition's carbon emissions, World Rugby said. Also read: Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas to donate $1000 for every ace at Mexican Open for Acapulco relief programme "The six teams taking part in the competition will benefit from long-term certainty around fixtures, allowing them to optimise their preparations and engage with fans and commercial partners," World Rugby's High-Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui said. "With so much talent in the Pacific Islands, Japan and the two North American teams, fans can expect a tough contest and a great spectacle epitomised with epic finals in Japan." The fifth-place playoff and semi-finals will be held in Tokyo, with the 2024 final taking place in Osaka. "The model... provides unprecedented certainty of fixtures for unions... while the grand final in the USA every two years is at the heart of our strategy to grow rugby visibility," World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said.

World Rugby unveils new format for Pacific Nations Cup

Rising Wallabies star&nbsp;Mark Nawaqanitawase&nbsp;announced Thursday he will jump codes and join rugby league powerhouse Sydney Roosters, with beleaguered Rugby Australia voicing disappointment. NSW Waratah Nawaqanitawase, 23,&nbsp;played 11 Tests and was a standout performer for Australia in their disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones in France this year.

"We're delighted to have secured Mark's services and look forward to welcoming him to our club in 2025," Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said in statement of the two-year deal. It follows Roosters' outside back Joseph Suaalii making the switch to rugby union and the Waratahs, which will take effect at the end of 2024.

"We are disappointed -– Mark has been a strong player over the last 12 months," Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said. "However, the outside backs are a position of strength for us, with great depth coming through. We are confident we are well-stocked with talented wingers for the future."

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Nawaqanitawase's departure is another blow for a Wallabies side without a coach after Jones resigned in October following Australia's failure to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. It led to Hamish McLennan quitting as Rugby Australia chairman after six of the nation's eight state unions said they had lost trust in his leadership.

Nawaqanitawase's agent Andrew Fairbairn said the decision had been "emotional" and did not rule out a return to rugby union for his client ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. "At 23, Mark feels now is the best time to stay in Australia, but have a new experience in the Roosters program for 2025 and 2026," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.&nbsp; "We hope the door will be open for Mark to return to the Wallabies fold in the future."

Rising Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase announced Thursday he will jump codes and join rugby league powerhouse Sydney Roosters, with beleaguered Rugby Australia voicing disappointment.

Rising Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase announced Thursday he will jump codes and join rugby league powerhouse Sydney Roosters, with beleaguered Rugby Australia voicing disappointment. NSW Waratah Nawaqanitawase, 23, played 11 Tests and was a standout performer for Australia in their disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones in France this year. "We're delighted to have secured Mark's services and look forward to welcoming him to our club in 2025," Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said in statement of the two-year deal. It follows Roosters' outside back Joseph Suaalii making the switch to rugby union and the Waratahs, which will take effect at the end of 2024. "We are disappointed -– Mark has been a strong player over the last 12 months," Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said. "However, the outside backs are a position of strength for us, with great depth coming through. We are confident we are well-stocked with talented wingers for the future." Also Read: NBA: Joel Embiid's monster performance helps Philadelphia 76ers win against Washington Wizards Nawaqanitawase's departure is another blow for a Wallabies side without a coach after Jones resigned in October following Australia's failure to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. It led to Hamish McLennan quitting as Rugby Australia chairman after six of the nation's eight state unions said they had lost trust in his leadership. Nawaqanitawase's agent Andrew Fairbairn said the decision had been "emotional" and did not rule out a return to rugby union for his client ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. "At 23, Mark feels now is the best time to stay in Australia, but have a new experience in the Roosters program for 2025 and 2026," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "We hope the door will be open for Mark to return to the Wallabies fold in the future."

Rising Wallabies star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase quits for rugby league

Rugby&nbsp;hailed the expansion of the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;and the introduction of a Nations League competition as a&nbsp;new&nbsp;dawn for the sport as it sought to widen its international reach and increase revenue and opportunity. World&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;(WR) announced on Tuesday it had made several&nbsp;radical&nbsp;changes to the sport’s&nbsp;calendar&nbsp;that it hoped would take the game into an&nbsp;new&nbsp;era and which it said was the final step in a long-term review of the game and its future.

The changes includes an expanded&nbsp;24-team men's&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cup, a two-tier Nations League competition which would eventually offer lower-ranked sides more opportunity to play against top opposition and a&nbsp;new&nbsp;aligned international&nbsp;calendar.“If&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;is going to become a truly global sport, we simply have to make it more relevant, more accessible to more people around the&nbsp;world,” WR chairman Sir Bill Beaumont told a press conference in Paris.

"It's fitting that we finish this, the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness, with the sport’s greatest feat of togetherness, the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional.

Promised changes to&nbsp;rugby’s traditional order have been debated for more than a decade but have routinely met with opposition from the sport’s superpowers and Beaumont admitted the&nbsp;new&nbsp;plans had dissenters. “But on the whole there was a pretty significant vote in favour of the two competitions,” he told reporters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nations-league-england-snatch-win-against-netherlands-to-keep-paris-hopes-alive-665283">Nations League: England snatch win against Netherlands to keep Paris hopes alive</a>

The 2027&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;in Australia will expand from the current 20 to&nbsp;24&nbsp;teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. There will be a round of 16 added and, despite more competing sides, the tournament will be shortened from seven weeks to six.

LATER DRAW

WR said the draw for the next&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. It follows criticism that the draw for the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;in France, based on rankings from the 2019 tournament partly due to COVID, was made too early and led to lopsided competition with one side of the draw packed with top-ranked&nbsp;teams.

One of the long-running issues at&nbsp;World&nbsp;Cups has been unhappiness from Tier Two nations about a lack of regular, competitive matches, with complaints about being excluded from a ‘closed shop’.

WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. It would start in 2026 and, although its format was not revealed, would see a top division comprising sides from the Six Nations and&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;Championship, and reportedly Japan and Fiji, meeting every two years in the July and November international windows.

There will be a second division with a further 12&nbsp;teams, which will be run by&nbsp;World&nbsp;Rugby. There will be promotion and relegation between the two divisions, but only from 2030.WR promised that in the years when the Nations League was not played there would be "a significant uplift in the number of cross-over matches between unions in the respective divisions".

There will also be a&nbsp;new, annual expanded Pacific Nations&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;competition in 2024&nbsp;featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

“We now look forward to an exciting&nbsp;new&nbsp;era for our sport commencing in 2026," Beaumont said. "An era that will bring certainty and opportunity for all. An era that will support the many, not the few, and an era that will supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries."

There will also be a first dedicated international release window in the women’s game from 2026, with a review of the global&nbsp;calendar&nbsp;and competition structures promised in the future.

WR also said there would be a "commitment to more effectively manage player load and welfare in the fast-evolving women’s game".

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Rugby hailed the expansion of the World Cup and the introduction of a Nations League competition as a new dawn for the sport as it sought to widen its international reach and increase revenue and opportunity.

Rugby hailed the expansion of the World Cup and the introduction of a Nations League competition as a new dawn for the sport as it sought to widen its international reach and increase revenue and opportunity. World Rugby (WR) announced on Tuesday it had made several radical changes to the sport’s calendar that it hoped would take the game into an new era and which it said was the final step in a long-term review of the game and its future. The changes includes an expanded 24-team men's World Cup, a two-tier Nations League competition which would eventually offer lower-ranked sides more opportunity to play against top opposition and a new aligned international calendar.“If rugby is going to become a truly global sport, we simply have to make it more relevant, more accessible to more people around the world,” WR chairman Sir Bill Beaumont told a press conference in Paris. "It's fitting that we finish this, the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness, with the sport’s greatest feat of togetherness, the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional. Promised changes to rugby’s traditional order have been debated for more than a decade but have routinely met with opposition from the sport’s superpowers and Beaumont admitted the new plans had dissenters. “But on the whole there was a pretty significant vote in favour of the two competitions,” he told reporters. Also Read: Nations League: England snatch win against Netherlands to keep Paris hopes alive The 2027 World Cup in Australia will expand from the current 20 to 24 teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. There will be a round of 16 added and, despite more competing sides, the tournament will be shortened from seven weeks to six. LATER DRAW WR said the draw for the next World Cup would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. It follows criticism that the draw for the World Cup in France, based on rankings from the 2019 tournament partly due to COVID, was made too early and led to lopsided competition with one side of the draw packed with top-ranked teams. One of the long-running issues at World Cups has been unhappiness from Tier Two nations about a lack of regular, competitive matches, with complaints about being excluded from a ‘closed shop’. WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. It would start in 2026 and, although its format was not revealed, would see a top division comprising sides from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship, and reportedly Japan and Fiji, meeting every two years in the July and November international windows. There will be a second division with a further 12 teams, which will be run by World Rugby. There will be promotion and relegation between the two divisions, but only from 2030.WR promised that in the years when the Nations League was not played there would be "a significant uplift in the number of cross-over matches between unions in the respective divisions". There will also be a new, annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024 featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States. “We now look forward to an exciting new era for our sport commencing in 2026," Beaumont said. "An era that will bring certainty and opportunity for all. An era that will support the many, not the few, and an era that will supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries." There will also be a first dedicated international release window in the women’s game from 2026, with a review of the global calendar and competition structures promised in the future. WR also said there would be a "commitment to more effectively manage player load and welfare in the fast-evolving women’s game". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby: World Cup to comprise 24 teams amid radical new calendar

Newly crowned World Rugby player of the year Ardie Savea said on Friday that he wanted to "try something new" and test himself after moving to Japan's big-spending league. The All Blacks loose forward has signed for Kobe Steelers on a one-season deal that means he will not miss any games for his country.

Savea joins New Zealand team-mate Brodie Retallick at Kobe and said he was "very excited" ahead of the Japan Rugby League One opener on December 9. "There's been a lot of positive things from the boys that have been coming into the country around the competition," said the 30-year-old Savea.

"As a player that's playing in New Zealand, that excites you to come here and give it a crack and try something new. "You look at the competition and I guess the talent that's across all teams is pretty special."

Savea and Retallick are among a wave of All Blacks moving to Japan ahead of the new season, including captain Sam Cane, fly-half Richie Mo'unga and full-back Beauden Barrett. The league also features several of the South Africa team that beat New Zealand in the World Cup final in October.

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Kobe finished last season ninth in the 12-team league and Savea is determined to help them perform better this time around. "I like to challenge myself and apply myself," he said. "My aspiration here is to come to Kobe and give myself to the culture and to the club, to my team-mates and hopefully try to win a championship."

Retallick is returning for a second spell at Kobe, having played for the club from 2020 to 2021. The lock, who has won 109 caps for the All Blacks, has been named co-captain and said he was glad to be joined by the "influential" Savea.

"I think he's an inspiration to a lot of Kiwis and people from all around the world," he said.

Newly crowned World Rugby player of the year Ardie Savea said on Friday that he wanted to "try something new" and test himself after moving to Japan's big-spending league.

Newly crowned World Rugby player of the year Ardie Savea said on Friday that he wanted to "try something new" and test himself after moving to Japan's big-spending league. The All Blacks loose forward has signed for Kobe Steelers on a one-season deal that means he will not miss any games for his country. Savea joins New Zealand team-mate Brodie Retallick at Kobe and said he was "very excited" ahead of the Japan Rugby League One opener on December 9. "There's been a lot of positive things from the boys that have been coming into the country around the competition," said the 30-year-old Savea. "As a player that's playing in New Zealand, that excites you to come here and give it a crack and try something new. "You look at the competition and I guess the talent that's across all teams is pretty special." Savea and Retallick are among a wave of All Blacks moving to Japan ahead of the new season, including captain Sam Cane, fly-half Richie Mo'unga and full-back Beauden Barrett. The league also features several of the South Africa team that beat New Zealand in the World Cup final in October. Also Read: Golf: Min Woo Lee leads at Australian Open, sets eyes on successive DP World Tour titles Kobe finished last season ninth in the 12-team league and Savea is determined to help them perform better this time around. "I like to challenge myself and apply myself," he said. "My aspiration here is to come to Kobe and give myself to the culture and to the club, to my team-mates and hopefully try to win a championship." Retallick is returning for a second spell at Kobe, having played for the club from 2020 to 2021. The lock, who has won 109 caps for the All Blacks, has been named co-captain and said he was glad to be joined by the "influential" Savea. "I think he's an inspiration to a lot of Kiwis and people from all around the world," he said.

Rugby: All Blacks' Ardie Savea opens up on joining Kobe Steelers in Japan league

England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday. Packer has been a force to reckon with in the back row and she was the leading try-scorer in women's test rugby this year with 11.

The 34-year-old led England to their fifth straight women's Six Nations title earlier this year with a Grand Slam while she was also one of the highest try scorers at the World Cup late last year when they finished runners-up.

"This is the biggest ever year of women's international test matches and a dawn of a new era on the road to an expanded Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.

"We have witnessed huge performances during Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and most recently, WXV where the best of the best have shone on the biggest stage. All our nominees have taken the game by storm this year."

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New Zealand Katelyn Vahaakolo was crowned the women's Breakthrough Player of the Year after she made the switch from rugby league to rugby union last year.

Her compatriot Tyla Nathan-Wong received the women's Sevens Player of the Year award while Italy's Sofia Stefan earned the Try of the Year which was decided by a fan vote on social media.

England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday.

England captain Marlie Packer was named World Rugby women's 15s Player of the Year, moments after they beat New Zealand in the final of the inaugural WXV 1 competition in Auckland on Saturday. Packer has been a force to reckon with in the back row and she was the leading try-scorer in women's test rugby this year with 11. The 34-year-old led England to their fifth straight women's Six Nations title earlier this year with a Grand Slam while she was also one of the highest try scorers at the World Cup late last year when they finished runners-up. "This is the biggest ever year of women's international test matches and a dawn of a new era on the road to an expanded Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025," World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said. "We have witnessed huge performances during Six Nations, Pacific Four Series and most recently, WXV where the best of the best have shone on the biggest stage. All our nominees have taken the game by storm this year." Also Read: Erik ten Hag accepts responsibility for Manchester United's DREADFUL Champions League run New Zealand Katelyn Vahaakolo was crowned the women's Breakthrough Player of the Year after she made the switch from rugby league to rugby union last year. Her compatriot Tyla Nathan-Wong received the women's Sevens Player of the Year award while Italy's Sofia Stefan earned the Try of the Year which was decided by a fan vote on social media.

World Rugby names England captain Marlie Packer Player of the Year

England captain Owen Farrell's Rugby World Cup future is hanging in the balance once more after World Rugby said on Thursday it will appeal a Six Nations Rugby independent Judicial Committee decision to overturn his red card against Wales. Farrell, who has had several suspensions related to tackle technique in his career, was expected to receive a minimum four-game suspension for the act of foul play. But he was surprisingly let off the hook by the Judicial Committee on Wednesday, who agreed with the flyhalf that the offence warranted a yellow card only.

Farrell&nbsp;was sent off&nbsp;- a yellow card upgraded to red via the new review system -&nbsp;after smashing his shoulder into the face of Wales forward Taine Basham in the sort of no-arms tackle that got him a four-game ban this season playing for Saracens. The Judicial Committee decision caused uproar on social media, with ex-players and player welfare advocates almost unanimous in agreeing it set a bad example at a time when the long-term effect of head injuries is in the spotlight.

"World Rugby has today confirmed to the Rugby Football Union and Six Nations Rugby that it will exercise its right to appeal in regard to the Owen Farrell disciplinary decision following a careful review of the independent Judicial Committee's full written decision received on 16 August," World Rugby said. "Having considered the full written decision, World Rugby considers an appeal to be warranted. In line with provisions set out under Regulation 17, an independent Appeal Committee will be appointed to determine the matter at the earliest possible opportunity."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/usa-women-need-the-best-coach-regardless-of-sex-says-world-cup-winner-jill-ellis-626341">USA women need the best coach regardless of sex, says World Cup winner Jill Ellis</a>

The statement added that while World Rugby "fully supports the important role that an independent disciplinary process plays in upholding the integrity and values of the sport", it is clear they too believe the judgement sends the wrong message. "Player welfare is the sport’s number one priority, and the Head Contact Process is central to that mission at the elite level of the sport," it continued.

Any suspension Farrell receives could potentially see him miss a number of England’s pool matches at the Rugby World Cup. They have two remaining warm-ups against Ireland and Fiji, with their first two World Cup games against Argentina and Japan crucial for Steve Borthwick’s side. England also have Samoa and Chile in their group.

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England captain Owen Farrell's Rugby World Cup future is hanging in the balance once more after World Rugby said on Thursday it will appeal a Six Nations Rugby independent Judicial Committee decision to overturn his red card against Wales.

England captain Owen Farrell's Rugby World Cup future is hanging in the balance once more after World Rugby said on Thursday it will appeal a Six Nations Rugby independent Judicial Committee decision to overturn his red card against Wales. Farrell, who has had several suspensions related to tackle technique in his career, was expected to receive a minimum four-game suspension for the act of foul play. But he was surprisingly let off the hook by the Judicial Committee on Wednesday, who agreed with the flyhalf that the offence warranted a yellow card only. Farrell was sent off - a yellow card upgraded to red via the new review system - after smashing his shoulder into the face of Wales forward Taine Basham in the sort of no-arms tackle that got him a four-game ban this season playing for Saracens. The Judicial Committee decision caused uproar on social media, with ex-players and player welfare advocates almost unanimous in agreeing it set a bad example at a time when the long-term effect of head injuries is in the spotlight. "World Rugby has today confirmed to the Rugby Football Union and Six Nations Rugby that it will exercise its right to appeal in regard to the Owen Farrell disciplinary decision following a careful review of the independent Judicial Committee's full written decision received on 16 August," World Rugby said. "Having considered the full written decision, World Rugby considers an appeal to be warranted. In line with provisions set out under Regulation 17, an independent Appeal Committee will be appointed to determine the matter at the earliest possible opportunity." Also read: USA women need the best coach regardless of sex, says World Cup winner Jill Ellis The statement added that while World Rugby "fully supports the important role that an independent disciplinary process plays in upholding the integrity and values of the sport", it is clear they too believe the judgement sends the wrong message. "Player welfare is the sport’s number one priority, and the Head Contact Process is central to that mission at the elite level of the sport," it continued. Any suspension Farrell receives could potentially see him miss a number of England’s pool matches at the Rugby World Cup. They have two remaining warm-ups against Ireland and Fiji, with their first two World Cup games against Argentina and Japan crucial for Steve Borthwick’s side. England also have Samoa and Chile in their group. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World Rugby to appeal England captain Owen Farrell's disciplinary decision

Starting tomorrow (February 1), transgender women will be banned from competing in contact versions of rugby in Scotland. The body overseeing the sport, Scottish Rugby, released a statement earlier this month where it took the position after amending its existing gender participation policy.

Starting tomorrow (February 1), transgender women will be banned from competing in contact versions of rugby in Scotland. The body overseeing the sport, Scottish Rugby, released a statement earlier this month where it took the position after amending its existing gender participation policy. “This amended policy now aligns with the already published positions of other rugby union governing bodies in the UK and Ireland which follow guidance from World Rugby and the Sports Councils’ Equality Group (SCEG)," read the statement released. However, transgender women are allowed to participate in the non-contact version of the sport. Tartan Touch is one such iteration where the only aim is to touch the ball down over the opponent's goal line by avoiding being touched. The Scottish Rugby Board admitted it was a divisive issue but added that the decision was taken in a sensitive manner. “We fully acknowledge this is a difficult and sadly divisive societal issue, and that has been especially apparent over the last few months. Scottish Rugby has been mindful of this and aimed to deal with the issue in a sensitive manner." While transgender women will not be allowed to participate transgender men may continue to play contact rugby in the men's category, according to the statement released. Notably, World Rugby, in 2020 became the first international sports federation to announce that transgender women cannot compete at the international level of women's game Read more: Top athletics body to allow transgender athletes to compete in women sporting events While Scottish Rugby has taken a stern stance on the issue, World Athletics, earlier this month proposed that transgender women be allowed to compete in the female category in international track and field events. The top athletics body has reportedly started a consultation process with its member federations regarding a proposed rule change. Though a final decision is yet to be made, World Athletics has indicated that rules will be tightened but a full ban will not be implemented. The debate remains centred around fairness and inclusion, whether it is right to let transgender athletes participate in women's competitions. Several studies have shown that males, upon reaching puberty, have increased muscle mass, bone density, and haemoglobin levels - all of which are significant contributors to performance. Read more: Inclusiveness or unfair advantage? Debate over trans athletes in sports intensifies (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Scottish Rugby bans transgender women from playing contact rugby, starting February 1

Benetton Treviso rugby club said on Thursday they had suspended one of their players after a Black team member revealed he had received a banana as a Christmas gift from a team mate in the latest act of racism to hit Italian sport.

Italian rugby club suspend player over racist Christmas present

Russia and Belarus have been suspended from all international rugby until further notice on Tuesday, the world governing body said, as it announced full and immediate sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia, Belarus suspended by World Rugby until further notice

Skinned knees could soon be a thing of the past in rugby after the sport's governing body amended its laws to allow players at all levels to wear tights or leggings during games.

Law 4 of the sport, which covers players' clothing, previously only permitted women to wear "cotton blend tights or leggings, with single inside seam under their shorts and socks", but has now been extended to all participants with immediate effect, World Rugby said on Tuesday.

The amendment has been implemented on "welfare and accessibility grounds" amid the increasing use of artificial surfaces.

"With some players susceptible to abrasions on artificial surfaces, the decision gives players the option to wear tights or leggings as a preventative measure, maximising access to the game," World Rugby said.

"World Rugby will also work with unions and registered artificial turf providers to ensure that rigorous best-practice maintenance programmes are observed that minimise the risk of abrasions, particularly in relation to brushing and watering especially in hot conditions."

Skinned knees could soon be a thing of the past in rugby after the sport's governing body amended its laws to allow players at all levels to wear tights or leggings during games.

Skinned knees could soon be a thing of the past in rugby after the sport's governing body amended its laws to allow players at all levels to wear tights or leggings during games. Law 4 of the sport, which covers players' clothing, previously only permitted women to wear "cotton blend tights or leggings, with single inside seam under their shorts and socks", but has now been extended to all participants with immediate effect, World Rugby said on Tuesday. The amendment has been implemented on "welfare and accessibility grounds" amid the increasing use of artificial surfaces. "With some players susceptible to abrasions on artificial surfaces, the decision gives players the option to wear tights or leggings as a preventative measure, maximising access to the game," World Rugby said. "World Rugby will also work with unions and registered artificial turf providers to ensure that rigorous best-practice maintenance programmes are observed that minimise the risk of abrasions, particularly in relation to brushing and watering especially in hot conditions."

Men in tights: Law change allows Rugby players to wear leggings during games

World Rugby has launched a new annual three-tier global women's tournament that has been described as a "game-changer" that will create a more competitive international landscape and grow the Women's Rugby World Cup from 12 to 16 teams.

New "game-changer" competition for women’s rugby unveiled

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