Australian rugby league’s governing body says players who join the “counterfeit” breakaway R360 league will be banned for 10 years.

R360, which plans to launch in October 2026, is aiming to attract rugby union and rugby league players with hefty contracts and a slimmed-down playing schedule.

Leading National Rugby League (NRL) players have reportedly been approachedby R360, which will involve six to eight men’s teams and four women’s teams based in major cities around the world.

Samoa’s Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who plays for New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, has said he has had talks with R360.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax, Payne Haas and Jye Gray are also reported to be considering joining.

The unions of eight major rugby union nations, including Australia, last week announced a ban on R360 recruits playing international matches.

“We’ve listened to our clubs and we’ve acted decisively,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’Landys.

“Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to pirate our game for potential financial gain.

“They don’t invest in pathways or the development of players. They simply exploit the hard work of others, putting players at risk of financial loss while profiting themselves.

“They are, in reality, counterfeiting a code.”

R360 is co-founded by former England World Cup winner Mike Tindall and backed by private investors.

After the prospective rugby union bans were announced last week, it said: “We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.

“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts.”

R360 will seek approval for its plans from World Rugby, rugby union’s governing body, at its council meeting next year.