English clubs want Six Nations reduced to five-week tournament

England's top clubs are seeking a reduction in the length of the Six Nations from seven to five weeks.

The tournament's organising committee will look at a proposal made by the Aviva Premiership which would remove the two weekends when fixtures are not played.

This year's competition runs from February 4 until March 18 but no games are scheduled for the weekends of February 18-19 and March 3-4.

A potential start time for the new format has yet to be discussed and any change would align with the beginning of the new global season in 2020.

Other proposals understood to have been put forward include rest periods for players and a reduction in the amount of summer tours.

Should the proposals be approved, it would represent the biggest change to Europe's leading national competition since Italy were admitted as a sixth team in 2000.