SIX NATIONS TO RESCHEDULE A breakthrough agreement between the English and French elite clubs and the top European national rugby unions could save international test rugby from the brink of disaster.

Reports out of the IRB's meeting in Dublin are suggesting the agreement may lead to a scheduling revamp which could include the Six Nations competition being played at the same time of the year as an expanded Tri Nations tournament, possibly opening the way for Argentina and a composite Pacific Islands team to join the competition as early as 2008. Ireland, Scotland and Wales have previously resisted any moving of the Six Nations due to the potentially disastrous financial consequences but the English and French clubs' boycott of Europe's Heineken Cup may have forced their hand.

A new international test window could end the growing deterioration of test rugby with major European countries failing to secure the release of players from English and French clubs. International squads would be at full strength because no major club or franchise rugby would be played anywhere in the world during the new test window.

There are also suggestions the top two or top four placed teams in Six Nations and the Tri Nations might play each other as part of the new window.

The Sanzar unions could still veto the change in the international schedule but with the Sanzar officials having recently been in Dublin they would have been consulted in the planning process.

via rugbyRnews