世界橄欖球：比爾博蒙特爵士(Sir Bill Beaumont)呼籲召開緊急會議
來自所有第一層級(tier-one)國家的代表 - 以及斐濟，日本和球員工會 - 將於本月底在都柏林聚會。
隨之而來的是對世界聯盟(World League)(註)最新提案(proposals)的廣泛批評。
“我期待與同事進行建設性的辯論並取得豐碩的成果，”Beaumont說。
“只有通過為全球比賽的利益( interests)共同努力，我們才能在橄欖球未來全球增長的重要領域取得真正有影響力的事情。”
Beaumont補充說，由於擔心球員福利以及喬治亞和太平洋群島等地的邊緣化，“沒有做出任何決定”("no decisions have been made" )。
世界橄欖球計劃(World Rugby plans )“危害球員福利(player welfare)”
世界橄欖球(WR)堅稱它支持聯盟的升級和降級系統(promotion and relegation system in the league)，但六國(Six Nations)仍然反對這一概念。
這導致了僵局，有消息來源擔心六國的立場可能會成為新興國家發展的障礙。
註:世界聯盟指北半球六國賽(Six Nations)-英格蘭,蘇格蘭,威爾斯,愛爾蘭,法國,義大利,加上南半球橄欖球冠軍賽(Rugby Championship)4國-南非,澳洲,紐西蘭,阿根廷,另外邀請美國,日本加入,總共12國.排除太平洋島嶼國-斐濟,東加,薩摩亞,另外歐洲新興國家-喬治亞,羅馬尼亞,引起抗議.甚至太平洋三島嶼國要抵制9月東京世界盃.
World Rugby: Sir Bill Beaumont calls for emergency meeting
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has called an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the international game.
Representatives from all tier-one countries - along with Fiji, Japan and the players' union - will gather in Dublin at the end of the month.
It follows widespread criticism of the latest proposals for a World League.
"I look forward to a constructive debate with my colleagues and productive outcomes," said Beaumont.
"Only by working together in the interests of the global game can we achieve something truly impactful in this important area for rugby's future global growth."
Beaumont added that "no decisions have been made" amid concerns over player welfare and the marginalising of the likes of Georgia and the Pacific Islands.
World Rugby insists it is in support of a promotion and relegation system in the league, but the Six Nations remains opposed to the concept.
This has contributed to the impasse, with sources fearing the Six Nations' stance could prove to be a roadblock for the development of emerging nations.