RFU reluctant to shift Six Nations tournament

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Tuesday has expressed their reluctance to shift the Six Nations tournament in order to have a globally-aligned season.

Newly elected World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont had earlier insisted the RFU to shift the Six Nations tournament to April as a part of his plan to integrate the Southern and Northern hemisphere.

However, RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie believes the global calendar discussions are in the preliminary stage and was satisfied with the response the Six Nations tournament and the autumn internationals are attracting.

"The Six Nations, as far as the date in the calendar is concerned, works well," Ritchie told BBC Radio 4.

"As far as we're concerned we have a great TV deal and we have stadia that are filled for every game. Why would you want to change something that works really well? So I can't see there being any significant move in that.

"And I think as well that the autumn internationals work terribly well for us as well. It's early days yet, but it's going to be an interesting few months on the global calendar discussions."

Another possible solution to benefit the global calendar will be is to create a two month international window in October and November but it will not be an easy task considering the amount of games scheduled in English and French domestic leagues. Adding to that will be the recent £200million deal signed between RFU and Premiership Rugby Limited which will carry on until 2024.

"There have been a number of preliminary discussions about the global season. We've obviously had some talks about how we see the English situation and it's early days," Ritchie said.

"It's a priority moving on. You've always got to have some elements of flexibility in an eight-year deal."