England will play at least one pre-World Cup friendly at Twickenham at 8pm, to replicate the late kick-offs they will have in the tournament, which, as hosts, they will open against Fiji on a Friday night – a timing the Rugby Football Union does not intend to repeat in the Six Nations.
England face France and Ireland at home before the World Cup, and the RFU chief executive, Ian Ritchie, said at least one 8pm kick-off was highly probable, to help the players acclimatise and provide a dry run for the stadium staff.
“We still have to finalise things, but a late kick-off seems sensible for a variety of reasons,” said Ritchie. “I have spoken to Stuart Lancaster [the England head coach] about this. It would make sense from a playing point of view, as well as an operational one. The obvious one to choose would be the second match, as it is closest to the World Cup, but it might be both.
“As for Fridays in the Six Nations, you never say never, but games then pose not just logistical problems, such as transport, but where do we attract the fan base from? e would prefer to stick to the schedules we have. We are happy not having a Friday night.”
Ritchie said that the international schedule would not be looked at until after the 2019 World Cup, despite player welfare concerns, because schedules had been drawn up by World Rugby. “It is complex, but it is a right conversation to have. You have to start looking at it now if anything is to be done. How much rugby can you expect the players to play in a season?”
Ritchie said he hoped the RFU and Premiership Rugby would reach a new player agreement before the start of the World Cup, when the current deal will have less than a year to run. “It is a priority for both of us to get it sorted and we have had constructive conversations. By and large, the relationship is a good one, and I anticipate the most difficult bit being the money.”
