Rugby

Six Nations denies reports of South Africa and Italy swap

Championship organisers say conversations about the change are not even taking place

The Six Nations has publicly denied plans to replace Italy with South Africa. Photograph: Andrea Staccioli/Getty Images

Fri Feb 18 2022 - 12:10

The organisers of the Six Nations championship have rejected claims that they are considering replacing Italy with South Africa in 2025.

After reports in the British press emerged yesterday that Italy were at risk, The Irish Times reported on Friday morning that both their removal and the involvement of the ‘Boks was unlikely since it clashed with the priorities of uniting the global calendar with a biennial cross-hemisphere tournament.

And now the Six Nations have responded with a statement of their own, denying that conversations involving such significant change are happening at all.

“Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six unions and federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating union,” the statement reads.

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“All its energy is focused on the current strategic discussions regarding the July and November international windows and structure of the global season, and to ensure a positive outcome for the development of the game.”

Italy are Ireland’s next opponents in this iteration of the tournament. They travel to Dublin for the match on February 27th.