Sir Clive Woodward wants big change to the Six Nations format - Ruck

Sir Clive Woodward wants big change to the Six Nations format

Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward has called for Six Nations chiefs to make a big change to the tournaments structure moving forward.

“This match (Wales v England) should have been played last week,” wrote Woodward in his column for the Mail Online.

“England should have been hosting Italy this weekend and Scotland the weekend after and the Six Nations should abolish the fallow weeks in the tournament. 

“If the northern hemisphere teams are really serious about winning the World Cup then the competition should replicate what is going to happen in Japan later this year. To win that tournament you have to play every week and having a two-week break is not what the World Cup is all about — they are missing a trick.

“Gatland and Jones have both mentioned the tournament during this Six Nations, why not give them the chance to play in as close a competition as possible to prepare for it?

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“They seem to want to spread it out but teams need to get used to playing Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and picking up the odd knock like you do in the World Cup.”

“Plus clubs are playing in the Premiership and Pro14 without their top players so I would get it down to five weeks and do it as a block – but commercially it doesn’t suit.”