New World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont Hints Six Nations Could Move To April

Newly installed World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont has hinted that the Six Nations "could be moved back a month to April as part of his attempts to integrate the northern and southern hemispheres" and establish a new global season, according to Nivedita Shankar of REUTERS. Beaumont was appointed head of the sport's global body on Wednesday. Six Nations Rugby Ltd. CEO John Feehan said in January that the idea of moving the championship from its traditional February-March slot was "non-negotiable," but Beaumont is "pushing for compromise." He said, "The game has changed undoubtedly and you have got to keep moving." Moving the tournament would require the support from "rugby powerhouses" England and France and rescheduling the European nations' summer tours to the southern hemisphere from June to July (REUTERS, 5/12).