SRU expect Six Nations to go ahead

SRU chiefs still expect the Six Nations to take place as normal despite the chances of supporters being able to attend matches looking increasingly remote. If no fans are allowed back in — as would appear likely given the current coronavirus crisis — the SRU would be looking at a financial loss of £18million, with around £6m in lost revenue through tickets sales and hospitality per home game. That would rise to £30m if no spectators were allowed into any home matches throughout 2021. ‘Things are changing all the time and we have lodged our plans with the Scottish Government to let up to 25,000 into BT Murrayfield for our three home games but that plan may have to

be dropped because of Covid,’ said an SRU source. ‘We haven’t given up hope completely of allowing some fans back but we know a final decision on that will not be ours and we will respect it. ‘We would take a bigger hit if the Six Nations was called off completely. ‘If it was, there would have to be a fee paid back to the broadcasters, who had agreed a contract to televise the matches. The same goes for the other five unions involved.’ Whether the tournament dates could be put back from their February start to allow the Covid crisis to ease, which would allow the SRU and other unions more time to get fans back in, remains to be seen — but, again, that appears to be fraught with difficulties. The sporting calendar is already jam-packed and television companies have their schedules set out. The Lions are due to tour South Africa in the summer, with football’s European Championship and the Olympics — both delayed from earlier this year — also set to take place. Meanwhile, Saracens are in talks with Eddie Jones to ensure their England players go into the Six Nations in peak condition, after being told the Championship season won’t start until March. England captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly, Jamie George and the Vunipola brothers — Billy and Mako — could now go into the tournament without any game time over the previous two months. Saracens are seeking to arrange a number of pre-season fixtures and planning meetings with their England contingent will take place next week. Director of rugby Mark McCall said: ‘We are talking with Eddie Jones to see if he has playing requirements for some or all of those players. We will come up with a collaborative plan.’