R360 delay 'positive' for Prem - Exeter boss Baxter

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says the postponement of proposed global franchise league R360 is positive for the Prem.

The new league was set to start next year, but has been put back until at least 2028.

Most global unions and the British & Irish Lions had said players taking part in the event would not be eligible to play internationally.

R360 had hoped to launch an inaugural event in October 2026, with eight men's sides and four women's teams, but had been put under pressure by organisers' failure to secure sanctioning from World Rugby.

"We want the best players playing in England, in the English clubs, keeping our competition as strong as possible," Baxter told BBC Sport.

"So from my perspective, I've got to say it's positive news for us as a Premiership club, playing in the Premiership.

"I think the majority of us involved in the sport to a relatively high level were getting the feeling from more than one source that it was going to be a struggle for them to to take off now.

"A lot of us had an expectation this [postponement] was going to happen and probably had done for a couple of months, so it probably didn't come into our planning as much as other people probably think it did."

A number of high-profile international players around the world had been approached by R360 organisers with the prospect of bigger wages to tempt them away from their domestic sides.

There had been fears that it could make negotiations for players out of contract at the end of this season more difficult for established clubs around the world.

Exeter's highest-profile player who will be out of contract next summer is England centre Henry Slade.

Baxter says the postponement of R360 could potentially work to his side's advantage in negotiations with the 32-year-old, which are under way.

"I think Henry's very settled here and I don't think every decision is purely about money," said Baxter.

"I'd have been surprised if Henry would leave anyway. We're a little way down the line in discussing this and so hopefully we'll be getting things sorted shortly.

"It wasn't something I was unduly concerned about if I'm honest with you."