England dent hopes of global rugby season

England rugby coach Eddie Jones and captain Dylan Hartley at a press conference.

The head of the English Rugby Union has scuttled hopes of a global rugby season any time soon.

Sir Ian Ritchie says the Six Nations is likely to remain in its February-March slot while they won't move the November internationals.

New World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont aims to synchronise the northern and southern hemisphere calendars, insisting that to make room, the Six Nations might have to be staged in April.

However, Ritchie says why would they want to change something that works for them.

"The Six Nations, as far as the date in the calendar is concerned, works well," Ritchie told BBC Radio 4.

"As far as we're concerned we have a great TV deal and we have stadia that are filled for every game. Why would you want to change something that works really well? So I can't see there being any significant move in that.

"And I think as well that the autumn internationals work terribly well for us as well. It's early days yet, but it's going to be an interesting few months on the global calendar discussions."

There are currently no international matches scheduled for after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with administrators from both hemispheres set to meet in the coming months to decide how to restructure the calendar.