Rugby scandals pave way for 2023 Six Nations

This year's Six Nations Championship starts on Saturday - and for officials confronting multiple crises among Europe's elite, kick-off cannot come soon enough.

The Welsh Rugby Union is still reeling from allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia within its ranks.

Claims of a "toxic culture" at the WRU were aired in a television documentary last week, resulting in the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips.

Racism has been an issue in Italy, with Treviso prop Ivan Nemer suspended until the end of the season after being identified as the source of the rotten banana given as a Christmas present to black team-mate Cherif Traore, also an Azzurri front row.

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The Scottish Rugby Union has been criticised for its handling of the death of former international Siobhan Cattigan amid accusations she did not receive the same level of medical care as a male player.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte resigned last week following his conviction for corruption in December.

Meanwhile, a plan by England's Rugby Football Union to ban tackling above the waist in the amateur game provoked such a furious backlash that within days Twickenham chiefs were forced into an embarrassing U-turn.

And yet that initiative, however poorly communicated, was a response to fears over the future of the game sparked by a slew of lawsuits from former players who insist officials failed to provide them with sufficient protection from brain injury.

Administrators often talk of "rugby values" when trying to promote the sport, but rarely has the phrase sounded so hollow.

This Six Nations, an annual showpiece that often produces upset results in front of routinely packed