The Six Nations Championship is not expected to change from its current format for the forseeable future.

World Rugby are close to agreeing a new rugby calendar which is due to come into effect after the World Cup in 2019, according to the BBC.

The Six Nations, British & Irish Lions Tour, and Rugby World Cup will keep their current places in the calendar.

But one major change that is set to come into force is the fact that there will be fewer international matches overall, with summer tours to take place three of every four years.

The English Premiership and Guinness Pro 12 are also due to finish later, possibly as late as the end of June, rather than May.