PM awaits Fiji Rugby BrIEfinG on EuropE matches

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has yet to be briefed by Fiji Rugby Union about the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians and Japan playing against the Six Nations sides in an eight-team tournament in Europe in November. Bainimarama, who is also president of the FRU,said: “I’ve yet to be briefed by the Fiji Rugby Union. Likewise Sports Minister Parveen Kumar shared the similar sentiment.

“It’s great, good for us but we need to get an update from FRU,” he said. FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said yesterday he would comment on matter today.

The eight-team tournament replaces the traditional end of year tours made by Southern Hemisphere teams, including the All Blacks, as international rugby battles with the COVID - 19 pandemic. Confirmation of the tournament signals an official end to any hopes the All Blacks had of playing England, Wales, and Scotland in Britain.

The mini-tournament is a major boost for second tier nations Fiji and Japan.

The tournament is scheduled to start on November 14, two weeks after the interrupted Six Nations is finally completed.

England will face Wales, Ireland and Fiji in one group. The latter two tests will be played at Twickenham, with the venue of the first game still to be decided.

In the other pool, Scotland will host Japan and France at Murrayfield and face Italy in Rome.

The tournament will be staged on four consecutive weekends until December 5, with each team facing their equivalent in the other pool on the final weekend, with the venue to be decided.

Official confirmation of the schedule and the venues are expected in August. the