RFU chief: 'Changes to Six Nations format unlikely to happen'

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has claimed that any major changes to the Six Nations are unlikely to take place.

A shift in schedule, which would see the tournament move from its current February start date to April, had been suggested by new World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

Ritchie is unsure why any significant alterations need to be made, however, and expects the six-team format to remain intact for as long as fans continue to fill grounds.

"Why would you want to change something that works really well?" he told BBC Sport. "We have a great TV deal, we have stadia that are full for every game. So I can't see there being [any] significant move in that."

England are the reigning Six Nations champions after claiming a historic Grand Slam success in Eddie Jones's first tournament in charge earlier this year.