CELTIC UNIONS TO FIGHT RFU PLANS

THE English RFU are set to face strong opposition from the Celtic unions over plans to cut the Six Nations from seven weeks to six in Lions years. England’s Premiership clubs have resisted all attempts to reduce their seasons in Lions years and RFU interim chief executive Nigel Melville is attempting to find alternative solutions, namely approaching the Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions with proposals to condense the Six Nations by a week to help the Lions prepare. ‘They need an extra week. If every four years we move the Six Nations from seven to six weeks, you create that extra week. So every four years why don’t we do that?’ said Melville (right). ‘It’s another way of looking at it; be a bit more creative. It would require the support of Ireland and Scotland and Wales — France and Italy as well, who have no stake in the Lions. ‘We have to look at things slightly differently sometimes to protect what we think is important — and the Lions is incredibly important for rugby.’ While the IRFU did not give an official line on Melville’s proposal yesterday, saying they would wait until a formal approach was made, it is expected they would strongly oppose any move to condense the Six Nations — as would Wales and Scotland. Previous attempts to cut back the tournament were met by strong Celtic opposition based on the issues of player welfare and reduction in quality. The intensity of competition and increased likelihood of injury would preclude the selection of frontline players for five Six Nations games in succession. A condensed fixture list would suit both England and France more than the Celtic unions due to their greater player numbers and ability to cope with the rate of attrition. These moves are likely to be seen as the RFU bending to the power and demands of their independent clubs. Whereas there is no movement from the English Premiership, the Pro14 (featuring teams from Ireland, Wales and Scotland) have already indicated they would be willing to pare back the league every four years to help the Lions. The Lions next tour is to South Africa in 2021, when the team will play eight matches — two less than on last year’s tour to New Zealand.