The International Rugby Board (IRB) agreed to investigate a return to traditional touring as a way of addressing concerns over the value of June tours to the southern hemisphere, Eurosport reports.
The news comes after Australia and New Zealand recently warned they would be prepared to scrap future European tours in protest at having to host under-strength touring teams.
At Tuesday's meeting at Heathrow of the 10 tier one nations, it was agreed that a return to traditional tours - with midweek matches played in between Tests - would be the "best way to enhance meaning and value for the problematic June window".
The meeting also agreed to conclude discussions about the integration of Argentina into the Tri-Nations "as a matter of urgency". In addition, the IRB said that it would also explore the possibility of setting up a tournament or series of matches in a Lions year involving teams not involved in the tour.
IRB chairman, Bernard Lapasset, said: "The meeting in Heathrow was both constructive and extremely positive and all the delegates demonstrated a clear collective willingness to work together to consider meaningful solutions.
“Building on the outcomes of the historic Global Season Forum at Woking last year, the group asked the IRB to work on three specific opportunities in detail - tours to the South in the June window; the creation of a tournament or a series of matches in a Lions year for unions not involved in the Lions tour and Argentina's full integration into the Tri Nations."
The IRB confirmed work on all three issues would begin immediately and will be discussed at upcoming executive committee and council meetings.
