The main international tournament in this part of the world may move in a bid to harmonise schedules and protect players.
It is the mainstay by which we measure when Spring has really sprung but the Six Nations may be moved to start at least a month later as a global rugby calendar looks increasingly likely.
The Guardian are reporting that because of concussion and other health fears, there is an increased feeling among rugby's administrators that the game needs a unified calendar to give players time to rest.
The paper reports that World Rugby, formerly the IRB, have already met with Unions and player associations to discuss a global schedule and that the mood has shifted significantly from seven years ago, when the idea of a unified schedule was dismissed by the Six Nations.
Clubs have to be consulted too, and no change will be in place until at least after the 2019 World Cup, but it seems change is on the way. The paper quotes one Union official.
“What is different this time is that the question being asked around the table is not why but why not. The research into concussion that has been made in the last couple of years has shown how vital it is that we look at the playing schedule, and with it the training that players do and which accounts for 50% of injuries.
“It is early days but what I think is instructive is that nobody is setting anything in stone, not even when the Six Nations is played. Now that the unions have agreed to take this forward the clubs will become involved: we are better together and while the aim of everyone will be financially viable, it will not be at the expense of player welfare.”
The paper speculates on the Six Nations being pushed back a month, and that a proper mid-season break is put in place too, but it seems we may have to wait a while to see it.
