Club World Championship could take place in 2022 - report
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Top clubs and franchises could finally face off in a club world championship as soon as 2022 according to a report by The Telegraph.
The tournament would reportedly be held once every four years and would feature 16 teams from either side of the equator.
According to the The Telegraph, there is “growing optimism” among key stakeholders for the creation of the competition, with hopes for kick-off at the end of the 2021-22 season. The competition will reportedly replace the knockout stages of the European competition and the sides would face off in a straight knockout format.
The four highest-ranked teams from the pool stages of the Champions Cup would be joined by the previous season’s winners of that tournament, the Premiership, the Top 14 and the PRO14 as the northern hemisphere’s representatives.
It is unclear how the eight Southern Hemisphere sides would be selected with the situation in South Africa with the nation’s four Super Rugby franchises set to join the expanded PRO14.
The Lions, Sharks, Bulls and Stormers are also expected to be eligible for Champions Cup qualification from 2022, with The Telegraph reporting that details will be discussed.
It is also unclear whether teams from the Top League in Japan, Major League Rugby in North America or Super Liga Americana de Rugby in South America will be involved in a club world championship.
