Here are your morning headlines for Thursday, April 2.

Autumn internationals could be held in both hemispheres

World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont hasn't ruled out some autumn internationals now being held in the southern hemisphere as the global game tries to manage the financial crisis engulfing it.

Beaumont said rugby nations around the world face a difficult period, insisting the governing body does not have the resources to bail everyone out.

European nations are desperate to rearrange postponed Six Nations games and ensure the autumn internationals are played, with Welsh Rugby Union boss Martyn Phillips conceding the game in Wales would struggle to cope if the November Tests aren't played. Wales are due to play South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Fiji i Cardiff.

But the July summer tours Down Under, which now seem very likely to be scrapped, and completing the Rugby Championship, which is currently scheduled for August, are vital to the southern hemisphere.

And Beaumont told the Daily Mail the prospect of autumn Tests being held in both the north and south, or some sort of revenue share agreement being devised, "are options being considered".

He said: "We are well aware of the financial situation down south. The southern unions are looking at the July Tests and the northern unions are looking at the November Tests, but we are all in it together. There is no one who is going to make a lot of money during this time. Everyone is going to suffer.

"I am very confident the unions will work together through this. Northern unions will feel the impact, too. If none of the northern teams could stage November Tests, then the situation would become extremely serious, but there is a spirit globally that we are all in this together.

'We don't know what the solutions will be until this all pans out a bit more. I cannot say that, right now, we have a solution for this. Unions will want to resume matches, but clubs will want to resume their seasons, too."

Australia, who have autumn Tests scheduled against England, Ireland and France, have already raised the prospect of cancelling the tour if it means getting the Super Rugby season and Rugby Championship played.

Kiwi star opens up on harrowing recovery from horror injury

Former Hurricanes loose forward Michael Fatialofa has spoken for the first time since suffering the horrific injury that cost him his playing career.

The Kiwi fractured his spine playing for Worcester against Saracens back in January, an incident he describes as a "freak accident".

Having spent two weeks in intensive care at London's St Mary's Hospital, the 27-year old has since opened up on his ordeal and his road to recovery.

He told New Zealand broadcaster, News 1 : "From my neck down, I couldn't feel anything or move anything

"It was pretty scary, and I was really short of breath because, what I did, was the spinal cord was compressed and anything below the spinal cord is affected and that includes my lungs and I was just kinda trying to breathe."

"I was pretty scared. I just didn't want to be a burden to my wife and family. But then I thought I'd just leave it with God and see what happens."

Fatialofa was then transferred to a specialist spinal clinic at the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury, where he spent five weeks continuing his recovery.

He was soon back on his feet again, with doctors surprised at his ability to walk unassisted so soon after such a catastrophic injury.

"Walking is the tip of the iceberg with these types of injuries. My hands are probably the hardest thing for me - getting my hands functioning.

"My left hand pretty much does nothing."

Jones set to sign new England contract

Eddie Jones is reportedly set to agree a new deal that will see him carry on as England coach up until the 2023 World Cup in France.

Jones' current contract with the RFU expires in August 2021, and the Australian has been in discussions over an extension after guiding England to a World Cup final out in Japan last year.

According to the BBC, a deal between the two parties is now close.

England are currently third in the World Rugby rankings, behind World Cup winners South Africa and New Zealand.

Last month, Jones joined members of the RFU executive board in taking a pay curt in excess of 25 per cent, in a bid to help lessen the impact of the current coronavirus lockdown.

Grand Slam winner Jones to run NHS garden marathon

Grand Slam-winning former Wales captain Ryan Jones is set to run a marathon in his garden to raise funds for Swansea Bay University LHB's charitable fund, helping NHS workers battling the current coronavirus pandemic.

Jones, who will run roughly 700 lengths of his garden, will undergo the challenge this Saturday, and has already broken his original £500 target on his JustGiving page.

Commenting on his plans Jones said: "Like many I am confined to my home and as this situation plays out before me, I am just amazed at the strength of the human spirit and the generosity of so many.

"Those giving of their time not because it's a job but because they care, those putting the risk to their own health to one side because they care.

"You truly are an inspiration and I just wanted to try and support you."