Former Ireland captain Rory Best is calling on rugby’s governing bodies in the northern hemisphere to trial playing the game in the summer.
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The move will help give northern-hemisphere nations a better chance at the world Cup, argues Best.
‘This might be an opportunity to prove summer rugby could work,’ said Best.
‘For the sake of rugby, I think they’ve got to try and align the two seasons.’
The 37-year-old wants northern- and southern-hemisphere rugby seasons aligned to even things up at the global showpiece.
‘At least certainly get them closer. It makes more sense for the northern hemisphere to push into the summer. In my opinion, it’s got to happen. If you take a World Cup, it’s coming to the end of a southern-hemisphere season so they actually meet as a group of players and they don’t have to waste time reconditioning themselves.
‘When we come together we have to spend at least three or four weeks getting back into condition after a break. That time could be spent as a team preparing to try and win a World Cup.’
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
