Six Nations faces season red card

Covid-19 threat results in French ministry banning cross-border sport with UK clubs

Six Nations officials will hold urgent talks with the French Government after the championship was plunged into doubt following the imposition of a ban on cross-border elite sport with clubs in the United Kingdom.

The decision by the French sports ministry in response to the spike in Covid-19 infections in the UK led to the postponement of the final two rounds of the Champions Cup, which had been due to resume on Saturday.

There are fears the travel ban could also have serious implications for the Six Nations, set to start on February 6, as it could prevent France from taking part.

The reverberations of the disruption are also likely to heap further pressure on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in July-August.

Six Nations officials are optimistic talks with the French Government will succeed but there are concerns the spread of the new variant of coronavirus across the Channel could lead to a deteriorating situation in France in the coming weeks.

With the sport already facing severe financial blows from the impact of no crowds during the pandemic, further disruption to the Six Nations would represent a major setback. However, officials hope to convince the French Government that tight Covid-19 protocols will minimise any further risk.

France, scheduled to open their

Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 6, are not due to host a match in Paris until the visit of Scotland on February 28 and do not travel to the UK until March 13 to play England at Twickenham.

Given that football’s Champions League is also set to resume next month, Six Nations sources have indicated there is also hope that a “co-ordinated approach by European governments” is possible.

Sources have also indicated the Six Nations will not proceed without France, which opens up the possibility of the championship being postponed until later in the season.

Reports that the Six Nations could be staged in one country have been dismissed.

The Six Nations insisted plans remained in place for the tournament to proceed.

“We are planning to hold the championship as scheduled in each country with Covid-19 protocols that have been reinforced from the October-November period that saw the successful conclusion of the 2020 Six Nations,” a spokesman said.

The Lions board are due to meet at the end of this month to consider whether the tour of South Africa can proceed.