Rugby · Sixnations
Six Nations format to be changed
Wednesday, 12 December 2001 15:37
Despite objections from the Welsh Rugby Union, the Six Nations championship is to be condensed into a seven-week tournament from 2003 following a committee meeting in Paris this morning. The move alters the traditional structure of Europe's premier competition, which had seen matches played every other weekend.
The new move will be warmly greeted by most members of the rugby community, particularly the players who feel the constant switch from club combat to the international arena doesn't help their preparation. Officials were also aware of the need to shorten the duration of the competition in order for it to gather greater momentum and make it more attractive to prospective bidders for lucrative television contracts.
Filed by Shane Murray
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