BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Hemispheres clash faces opposition

Leading international players remain opposed to plans for a game between the northern and southern hemispheres as they prepare to meet with the game's governing body.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has approved plans for the match in November at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

IRB approves North-South clash

But the International Rugby Players' Association (IRPA) chairman Tony Dempsey insists that its members face burn-out in an already congested fixture list.

The conference in itself will not resolve the problem

Tony Dempsey,
IRPA chairman

"Until such time as action is taken to address the player welfare issues, IRPA remains committed to withdrawing its support to the proposed North v South Hemisphere Match," said Dempsey.

"It would be premature for IRPA to be supporting yet another match in an already cluttered international season until the player welfare issues have been constructively resolved."

Player burn-out special feature

The two organisations are due to meet in Dublin on 9 and 10 September to discuss the growing problem.

Dempsey welcomed the conference as a "positive step" but warned against unrealistic expectations.

"The conference in itself will not resolve the problem," he said.

"The recommendations coming out of it will be a key factor along with how they are adopted and implemented by the stakeholders in World Rugby."


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