RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney warns any Six Nations changes must be temporary

A home-and-away format is one of several options under consideration if the autumn internationals cannot go ahead as planned.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has warned a potential expanded home-and-away edition of the Six Nations next season would need to be a one-off to avoid damaging the stature of the tournament.

Sweeney confirmed a home-and-away format was one of several options under consideration should the coronavirus pandemic prevent the autumn internationals going ahead as planned.

But he cautioned against coming up with a short-term fix that had long-term implications.

England Rugby File photo — The Six Nations could be played in a home-and-away format next season if the autumn internationals cannot be staged (Adam Davy/PA)

“On the other hand, there’s something quite attractive about, as a one-off, once-only because of this situation, having a home and away Six Nations.

“Nobody would be able to say there was a home-field advantage, it would be a level playing field. But I don’t think it would be a longer-term (solution).”

Sweeney remains optimistic it will still be possible for England to play planned Tests against New Zealand, Tonga, Australia and Argentina in November, but said a number of contingency plans are being considered if travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic make that impossible.

England v Australia – 2019 Rugby World Cup – Quarter Final – Oita Stadium — England are due to take on Australia in one of four Tests this November (David Davies/PA)

There are also plans in place to play the remaining four matches of the 2020 Six Nations, which was cut short by the pandemic.

It adds up to a potentially very busy summer of rugby, with club competitions also needing to catch up.

With the European Cup final now tentatively scheduled for October 17, there is the potential for a clash should one or more of the three remaining English clubs – Exeter, Northampton and Saracens – reach the showpiece.

England v Russia – UEFA Euro 2016 – Group B – Stade Velodrome — Marseille’s Stade Velodrome is scheduled to host the delayed European Cup final on October 17 (Nick Potts/PA)

“We want to avoid a pure conflict situation with that and recognise the international game has got requirements and the club game also, but let’s find a way through it.”

Sweeney also indicated that England players can expect to face cuts to their match fees as talks continue over a new contract, with the existing deal expiring this summer.

England players face cuts to their match fees as talks continue over a new contract (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“Clearly we need to cut costs but we’re also looking at ways where we can share risk in that, so when things bounce back, how does that work and so on,” Sweeney said.

“We’re in the middle of that conversation and that’s an ongoing process.”