Rugby bosses are drawing up plans which could see a stand alone Six Nations tourament taking place in October and November.
A full Six Nations across eight weeks is one of the options on the table.
It would offset the income lost from the traditional money-spinning autumn fixtures, which at this stage look highly unlikely to go ahead.
Four matches still remain outstanding from this season's official Six Nations tournament.
Ireland still have two games of the original campaign to play against Italy and France, with those being provisionally penciled in for September.
Andy Farrell's men remain in contention to win the tournament if they can win both of those matches.
