The Six Nations have insisted they have no plans to replace Italy with South Africa in the tournament.
They have issued a firm statement in response to media reports that the Springboks were being lined up to take over from the struggling Azzurri from 2025.
That bombshell news has caused a huge outcry this week, with widescale public condemnation of the proposal.
Italy, in turn, have expressed their fury at the plans and made it clear they are ready to fight to keep their place in Europe’s elite event.
Now the tournament organisers have broken their silence on the subject.
In a statement they say: “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.
“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.”
