The Six Nations bosses are reportedly set to meet this week to finalise contingency plans for an emergency second tournament at the end of the year.

This comes after concerns that southern-hemisphere nations will not be able to undertake their respective end-of-year tours due to the coronavirus pandemic. The English RFU has claimed that an empty November schedule could cost as much as £50 million in lost revenue.

The fifth and final round of the Six Nations still has to be played while the fourth round between Ireland and Italy was postponed, due to the pandemic which has halted sport across the globe.

France, England, Scotland and Ireland all still have a chance of claiming the title but a date has yet to be set for what would be a ‘Super Saturday’ finale to the tournament.

However, according to a report in The Rugby Paper, bosses from the home unions will start drawing up plans for a second Six Nations tournament – which would be played in October and November – should the traditional end-of-year tour fixtures also be called off due to the pandemic.

The report states that the fixtures will be the same as this season and would be played over an eight-week period. Home nations will discuss the prospect of finishing the current Six Nations campaign by the end of September, so the emergency tournament can begin in October.

Photo: Getty Images