World Rugby chiefs have called for “comprehensive consultation” after the launch of a new short-form international rugby union competition was floated on Tuesday.

The ‘World 12s’ event, which is backed by a UK-based financial consortium and has yet to attain the backing of any federation, aims to pit the globe’s top players against each other in a 12 v 12 format over 30-minute matches.

Organisers are aiming to launch the inaugural men’s tournament in England in August 2022, with the first women’s event taking place a year later.

They hope £250 million ($345 million) will be generated by the competition over five years, while also attracting new fans to the sport.

World 12s chairman Ian Ritchie described the concept as “a natural evolution for rugby union”.