Six Nations likely to be delayed until April

The coronavirus crisis is likely to lead to disruption to the Women's Six Nations for a second season in a row, with the 2021 tournament set to be delayed until April instead of taking place on the same weekends as the men's event which is due to start in February.

Although England were eventually able to claim the Grand Slam with victory over Italy - in a match delayed from March to November - three 2020 Six Nations fixtures were cancelled completely which meant the competition could not be completed.

The Allianz Premier 15s in England is currently the only women's league operating in any of the competing countries and a travel ban in France has further complicated the logistics of the tournament.

Although the Six Nations committee has yet to confirm the delay, a spokesperson said: "A lot of work is being done on the planning of the Women's Six Nations Championship factoring the updated and fast-evolving measures in each country. We will communicate in due course."