RFU still favours Six Nations cutback
The chief executive of the Rugby Football Union yesterday insisted the English game's governing body remained in favour of plans to reduce the duration of the Six Nations from seven weeks to six despite opposition from leading players. Harlequins prop Joe Marler, who helped England retain their Six Nations title this season, has said it is “ridiculous” to remove one of the tournament's two fallow weeks given the need for players to recover from the gruelling demands of modern test rugby. But taking a week out of the tournament, as part of the new global season due to start after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, might make the championship more commercially attractive and benefit countries such as England and France that have a large playing base.