RFU boss responds negatively to proposals to radically change the Six Nations

The new World Rugby chairman has proposed some radical changes to the rugby calendar.

Bill Beaumont wants to synchronise the northern and southern hemisphere calendars, and as part of the changes, the start date of the Six Nations would move from February to April. The chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, Gareth Davies, backed the proposals, and called the current calendar "unsustainable." The Six Nations are due to hold a council meeting to discuss changes to the format, including:

• The start of the tournament moving from February to April.
• The introduction of promotion and relegation.
• Bonus points.

However, the chief executive of the Rugby Football Union has already shot down any suggestions that the start date of the competition will be moved. "The Six Nations, as far as the date in the calendar is concerned, works well," Ian 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."

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