Six Nations confirm fixtures will go ahead despite coronavirus fears
This weekend’s scheduled Six Nations games will go ahead as planned, following a Six Nations committee meeting in Paris.
The committee met in Paris earlier today to discuss the threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus across Europe.
Following talks, is has been decided that both England’s game against Wales in Twickenham on Saturday, and Sunday’s meeting of Scotland and France in Edinburgh, will go ahead as planned. Tournament bosses are looking at relocating the Women’s and U20 Italy vs England matches to a new Italian location, and will make a further announcement to confirm.
Any move to take the Six Nations away from terrestrial television and behind a paywall could have a knock-on effect with tournament sponsors, explains @chrisjonespress https://t.co/JcXirZl85c
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The decision means that Ireland and Italy will be the only two teams not in action this weekend. Ireland’s home game against Italy, originally scheduled for Dublin this Saturday, was postponed last week following meetings between the Irish Government and the IRFU.
However there is still some doubt surrounding the final round of Six Nations fixtures, due to be played on the weekend of March 14/15.
Despite the decision of the Six Nations committee, there is still a possibility that some matches will be postponed if governments decide to take action.
In a statement, Six Nations organisers said they will work closely with governments to monitor the situation.
“The Six Nations met today in Paris to address the current situation regarding the Covid-19 Virus,” the statement read.
“Six Nations and its six unions and federations are following the situation very closely with their respective governments and relevant health authorities and will strictly follow any directive given that would impact sporting events.
We think Alun Wyn Jones will have a say in where the Triple Crown ends up come Sunday morning! pic.twitter.com/ceBNZIV6bs
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020
“As it stands today, based on the latest information, all Six Nations matches currently scheduled are set to go ahead.
“Six Nations is in contact with FIR and RFU regarding the possibility of relocating the Women’s and U20 Italy vs England matches to another Italian location and we will make a further announcement on this in due course.
“However, the Italy vs England Senior Men’s match in Rome is planned to go ahead as scheduled.
“Six Nations intends to complete all 15 games across all three championships when time allows but we will refrain from making any rescheduling announcements for the time being while we keep assessing the situation.”
MPs in Wales have been making their feelings clear on social media.https://t.co/2TRFSxKayR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020
On Saturday the French government announced a ban on mass gatherings of over 5,000 people until further notice.
Following this weekend’s trip to play Scotland, Les Bleus are due to take on Ireland on March 14 in Paris. Wales are due to host Scotland earlier that day, with Italy taking on England in Rome.
On Sunday, British health secretary Matt Hancock admitted that sporting events across the UK could also be cancelled in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.
The UK saw it’s biggest leap in cases yet on Sunday, and with four further cases announced on Monday, a total of 40 people have now tested positive for Covid-19 across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Earlier on Monday the EU rose the official risk related to the coronavirus to ‘moderate to high.’
Watch: Six Nations £300m paywall deal: ‘We would not rule anything out’.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments