The southern hemisphere unions accept they will have to move their Super 12 series if they are to achieve a global international season following the refusal of their European counterparts to change the timing of the Six Nations Championship.

The International Rugby Board passed a resolution at its meeting last March to investigate the feasibility of a uniform season in order to prevent the friendlies at the start of each season in the two hemispheres being devalued by visiting teams being below strength and fatigued.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were hoping that the Six Nations would agree to move their championship to the end of April and the whole of May but the European unions are not prepared to budge for fear of upsetting their television partners and losing money.

"It was England who were particularly keen at the IRB meeting to have a global season," said the New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller. "I am surprised that the Six Nations committee has come out with this now, and the board will be as well, given what was said earlier this year.

"We all have to have an open mind about this; nobody is going to be able to stick with everything if we are to have a global season. I do not think the Six Nations have performed a double-cross but it is perplexing."

Sale are giving a trial to the former London Irish and Narbonne wing Simon Hunt while Canterbury's centre Nathan Mauger is expected to join Gloucester this week. The Argentinian lock Juan Pablo Lagarrigue has been released by Sale.