#3. Rugby 12’s launching
A new international competition with new laws called World 12s has been launched with the aim of enabling the best male and female players to compete annually around the world.
The inaugural men’s tournament, which will be contested by teams containing 12 players, will be staged in England next August with the women’s event taking place for the first time a year later.
It is hoped that £250m will be generated by competition over the next five years, while also attracting fans.