RFU against proposals to move Six Nations and autumn Tests

English rugby chiefs have indicated they do not want to move the Six Nations or autumn internationals.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont aims to synchronise the northern and southern hemisphere calendars, insisting that the Six Nations may have to be staged in April. His plans have already hit a major stumbling block, however, after RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie hinted that Twickenham would oppose any changes to the international season in Europe.

If the Six Nations and November series are to stay where they are, that would leave only the June tours which could possibly move.

“The Six Nations, as far as the date in the calendar is concerned, works well,” Ritchie told BBC Radio 4. “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? The autumn internationals work terribly well for us as well.”