CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL

WRU call off Scotland clash just hours after giving it the go-ahead

THE Wales-Scotland game was postponed in shambolic circumstances yesterday afternoon, barely hours after the Welsh Rugby Union insisted the match would be played.

The Six Nations clash, which some were claiming could have been the biggest gathering in the world today, was officially called off as Gregor Townsend’s men arrived at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for their training run.

Earlier in the day — at 9.30am — a WRU statement declared that the match would be played at 2.15pm today despite mass cancellations across sport globally.

‘The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Principality Stadium will go ahead as planned,’ the statement read. ‘Throughout, the WRU Board have followed the scientific advice of government, Public Health Wales, medical experts and determined that any game would be held or postponed based on that advice.’

At 11am, Wales completed their traditional eve-of-match ‘captain’s run’, while Scotland were setting up their own version at 2pm, when a second WRU statement dropped confirming the game was now off.

‘Whilst medical advice remains consistent, we have decided that it’s in the best interests of supporters, players and staff to fall in line with recent measures taken across the UK and global sports industries,’ the new release read.

‘Every effort has been made to stage this game and we appreciate that individuals will have been inconvenienced. Given the fluid and unprecedented nature of this issue, a postponement became the only viable option.’

Supporters, many of whom arrived in Cardiff yesterday, were urged to keep their tickets — which will be valid for any rearranged game — but will be allowed refunds if they want them.

There was a mixture of anger and acceptance from fans who had travelled to the Welsh capital.

James McShane, of North Berwick, who had travelled down by train, said: ‘We thought this could happen but why did it take them so long to come to this decision? I could’ve guessed this would happen.’

John Hamilton, of Edinburgh, who had flown down to London and then got the train to Cardiff, said he had taken a day off work for nothing.

‘I had booked Flybe first and then they went bust and now I am here in Cardiff and there is no game,’ he said. ‘I realise why the match has been called off but why did it take so long? I pre-booked my hotel in Cardiff, so might as well stay here for the weekend.’

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg said he appreciated the fans making the effort to travel to Cardiff but backed the decision to call the match off.

‘I would like to thank the fans for all their support over the last few weeks,’ said Hogg (below). ‘We are bitterly disappointed that we can’t fulfil tomorrow’s fixture but we totally understand the decision. It must have been a tough one but we back it.

‘A few of you made the trip down to Wales to support us and we are bitterly disappointed.

‘We will continue to work hard on and off the field individually and collectively to make sure we are in the best place possible when we fulfil this fixture. Thank you for all your support and take care.’

While there is no set date yet for the final weekend of fixtures in the tournament to be replayed, it seems likely that Wales v Scotland will join Italy v England and France v Ireland in being played on October 31.

In that scenario, the Six Nations will have a revamped ‘Super Saturday’ finale.

An SRU spokesperson confirmed they backed the decision to call the match off, saying: ‘Scottish Rugby has acknowledged the decision of the WRU to postpone tomorrow’s match in Cardiff.

‘Whilst it is disappointing, there are wider public safety issues unfolding at this time.’

Elsewhere, Scotland Under-20s beat their Welsh counterparts 52-17 last night behind closed doors in Colwyn Bay.

But tomorrow’s English Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins was postponed last night after a staff member showed symptoms of the virus. European matches are also under serious threat. The Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals are set for the weekend of April 4 but, with all French and Pro14 rugby suspended, it is highly likely matches will be postponed. Organisers EPCR are set for a meeting early next week to decide how to complete their continental competitions.