Mike Tindall’s ambitious plan to revolutionize rugby has gained significant momentum, as the England Rugby World Cup winner announced he has secured three years of financial backing for his proposed breakaway tournament, R360.
At 46, Tindall—who joined the Royal Family in 2011 through his marriage to Zara Phillips, King Charles III’s niece—is spearheading the creation of a franchise-based competition that aims to deliver a “generational change in rugby” and fundamentally transform the sport.
Former Bath director of rugby, Stuart Hooper, is collaborating with Tindall to bring this vision to life. Together, they have proposed establishing 12 new franchise teams filled with the world’s top rugby talent.
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Despite earlier financial concerns that threatened a launch as soon as next year, these issues have now been resolved. According to Gloucestershire Live, the full funding required is in place, paving the way for the tournament’s imminent rollout.
While the project has faced some criticism, it has also attracted substantial support. There appears to be little standing in the way of these groundbreaking plans becoming a reality within months.
Backed by sports marketing executive Mark Spoors and former LIV Golf lawyer John Loffhagen, Tindall emphasizes that R360 is designed to confront rugby’s pressing challenges, including financial instability and dwindling fan engagement. “Rugby is feeling the fallout of the last few years with financial mismanagement, declining investment in the club game, and a product that is struggling to evolve,” he said. “Clubs worldwide are strained and propped up by the international game. Rugby’s lack of innovation risks losing appeal to younger audiences.”
Reports indicate that over 200 players have already committed to the breakaway league, having been offered deals valued around $1 million (£740,000) annually. While no official player list has been released, several high-profile athletes are believed to be onboard. This includes four prominent Springboks, 10 recent England internationals, notable players from Argentina, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, and Rugby New Zealand star Ardie Savea in ongoing talks.
From Wales, celebrated players like Louis Rees-Zammit and British and Irish Lions standout Jac Morgan are also reportedly involved. Intriguingly, the league is not just attracting rugby union stars—up to 10 National Rugby League (NRL) players, such as Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, and Jye Gray, are reportedly considering a switch to the new competition.
Player interest in R360 is driven in part by the promise of significantly higher earnings combined with a reduced fixture load. The inaugural season, set to launch from September to December next year, will feature 12 teams—eight men’s squads and four women’s—playing just eight games. Future seasons are expected to expand to 16 matches, considerably less than the demanding schedules of existing leagues like Premiership Rugby and the URC.
Beyond fewer games, R360 plans to enhance player welfare by guaranteeing 12 weeks off annually and funding two family trips each year to unite players with their loved ones regardless of their team locations.
The franchises will be globe-spanning, with cities like Tokyo, London, Dubai, Cape Town, Boston, and Miami under consideration. Interest from major sports conglomerates adds further weight to the project—Fenway Sports Group, owners of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox, along with the Glazer family, majority owners of Manchester United, have both reportedly expressed interest in franchise ownership.
As Mike Tindall’s R360 edges closer to becoming reality, it promises to shake up the rugby world and deliver transformative change to the sport on a global scale.