It's 'game on' for launch, says rugby's breakaway R360 league – but how ready is it really? | Matt Hughes

Co-founder Mike Tindall insists R360 will launch next year but, with financial projections changing, questions remain

R360's decision to withdraw its application for sanctioning by World Rugby this month, as revealed by the Guardian, was the first significant setback for the planned breakaway league, which had appeared to be developing unstoppable momentum.

More than 160 players have signed pre-contract agreements with the proposed new competition, which is offering annual salaries of up to £740,000 for a 16-match season, with 75% of the potential recruits having played international rugby within the past two years, and at least 10 of them for England.