RFU calls for Six Nations to be cut to six weeks

The Rugby Football Union is seeking a reduction in the length of the Six Nations from seven to six weeks.

The union hopes to remove one of the championship’s two fallow weeks in an effort to create space in the calendar for the new global season, which takes effect from 2020.

The idea will be discussed at next month’s Six Nations review meeting when RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie will be lobbying for its implementation after the 2019 World Cup.

“We believe it is perfectly right to have a six-week competition as opposed to a seven-week one,” Ritchie said.

“We think it would improve it. It would narrow the ‘off’ periods, help with the broader narrative. We think it is a good route. It may well be that others agree or disagree.

“It’s absolutely right to always be thinking about what to do to enhance, improve and make the Six Nations better.”

Truncating the tournament would generate greater momentum, but an argument against the proposal is that it would hamstring weaker countries with smaller playing resources by reducing rehabilitation time for injured players.

Ritchie also revealed that an extension of the residency rule from three to five years is likely to be approved.

“It is a matter for World Rugby but it will go to the council meeting in May and there is a very good chance of it being adopted,” he said.