A new Six Nations format is unlikely to be introduced anytime soon

The English Rugby Football Union had planned to try and force a move that would see the current Six Nations format be condensed into just six weeks, however their plans look to be over before they have even started as the FFR, France’s rugby Union, has voted against the proposal.

The format wouldn’t be much different for other sides, but for the English and French, they wouldn’t compete in the first round of fixtures, then compete in every week until the end, playing each other in the third week, which is almost always a rest weeks for the sides.

Congratulations/ thankyou to the French Rugby Union for voting against the 6 week Six Nations

Top stuff, France 👊👊👊

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) September 20, 2017

On top of the FFR not agreeing to the new format, Ireland, Scotland Wales and Italy all are in favour of keeping the seven week format which allows for two rest weeks.

According to the Times and The Telegraph, at a Six Nations Board meeting on Monday, England lost by five to one on the proposal vote which essentially completely blocked the idea.

The only way The RFU’s motion would have worked is if the other five nations agreed.