Six Nations dates set to stay, for now

 

The RFU have confirmed that the Six Nation’s are likely to remain in its usual February and March slot amidst propositions for it to be moved to April.

New World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said starting the tournament later “could be a solution” in establishing a global rugby calender.

But RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie, who was against the proposed move, said; “Why would you want to change something that works really well?

“We have a great TV deal, we have stadia that are full for every game. So I can’t see there being [any] significant move in that.”

At the moment, there are currently no international matches organised for post the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with administrators from both the northern and southern hemisphere set to meet in the upcoming months do decide how to restructure world rugby.

There have been numerous calls for both hemispheres to match their seasons more effectively, leaving better positions for players welfare to be a main objective.

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty believes the negotiations will be crucial to the future of the sport.

He said; “As far as we are concerned it is the most important issue on the table.

“As administrators we have to sit down within the next six to nine months and crack out how it should look in 2019 onwards, and I think that’s a big, big debate for the game, and it will determine whether rugby realises its potential.

“We are probably looking at what a season structure might look like for two World Cup cycles after 2019, so thinking ahead to 2027 ultimately.”

And McCafferty says that the clubs must be heavily involved in the decision making.

“They are big stakeholders in the game, particularly the English clubs and the French clubs,” he added.

“The scale of the business from Premiership Rugby’s point of view is bigger than most unions around the world.”

But while saying that many issues “will be debated”, McCafferty has also warned against drastic changes.

“There is lots in rugby that is going very well, and we must be very careful to protect the bits that are strong, and make sure the bits that are less strong can have an environment to thrive, and give the global game a platform to develop.”