Six Nations organisers are working on contingency plans to hold a second tournament later in the year.

The Rugby Paper is reporting that the IRFU is holding talks this week with the unions of England, Wales, France, Italy and Scotland about a potential eight-week tournament to be held in October and November.

The report said plans for the tournament were being drawn up because the coronavirus pandemic is set to prevent New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina from touring Europe in November.

Ireland are due to face World Champions South Africa and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in November and there were still four matches to be played when this year's Six Nations was put on hold due to the pandemic.

A Six Nations official said: "Some people will no doubt throw their hands up in the air and accuse us of devaluing the tournament, but what do they expect us to do?

The sport’s governing body World Rugby has already created a relief fund of around €90 million to assist unions as they try to deal with the financial impact of coronavirus.

The report added that an unprecedented second Six Nations event this year had the potential to generate more than €110 million in ticket sales.