# Rugby: National rugby unions of South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy, and Australia have warned that any players who join the breakaway R360 competition will be banned from playing for their countries. R360 plans to launch a shortened competition in October 2026, with players reportedly being offered lucrative contracts to make the switch. The national rugby unions say R360 has given no indication as to how it plans to manage player welfare, and how the competition would coexist with the international and domestic calendars.
Rugby: South Africa among eight countries set to ban players who join the breakaway R360 competition