Hopes of establishing a more globally aligned season receded yesterday after the Rugby Football Union indicated it would be unwilling to move the Six Nations or autumn schedule.

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

His plans have already hit a major stumbling block, however, after RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie hinted that Twickenham would oppose any changes to the bulwarks of the international season in Europe.