Six Nations more vital than ever to lift morale

LET’S hope and pray this new threat to the 2021 Six Nations from France has blown over by the time Les Bleus play their first scheduled match, against Italy in Rome, on February 6.

Because, heaven knows, we need a proper championships like never before to keep up morale following a devastating 12 months for rugby and sport in general.

The French Sports Minister, Roxana Maracineanu, has recommended games between French and British clubs be postponed in light of rising Covid cases in the UK caused by the new strain.

It’s highly likely the next two rounds of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup — set to be played over the weekends of January 16 and January 23 — will be delayed as a result.

The natural fear is there will be a knock- on effect for the Six Nations.

Thankfully, France don’t play a British team until they host Scotland in Paris on February 27, so there’s enough time to keep our fingers crossed that matters have improved by then.

If they haven’t, the organisers have got to ensure that the tournament still takes place in some shape or form, Covid permitting of course.

The Six Nations is the jewel in the crown of the rugby calendar.

Sport has a role to play in lifting spirits during the pandemic while obviously needing to take i ts r esponsibilities seriously by adhering to coronavirus regulations.

The f ans deserve t o have something to look forward to.

What could be more enticing and uplifting for us Scots, for example, than the prospect of watching Gregor Townsend’s men take on England in the opening fixture at Twickenham in four weeks’ time?

It’s a tough time for everybody during the pandemic and there are far more important things to worry about than sporting fixtures.

But with so many feeling down and stuck at home, many alone, it is important for the mental health of the nation that major sporting events such as the Six Nations go ahead as planned to give everyone a lift.

We all have to accept that these international games will be played behind closed doors, but we got a taste of that in the Autumn Nations Cup and at the tail end of the delayed 2020 Six Nations, so we know what to expect.

The final two rounds of the Champions Cup due to be played over the next fortnight are set to be postponed because of the stance taken by the French — but, whatever happens, the tournament still needs to be continued and a final played.

Cancelling the European Cup outright would mean a hefty rebate would be due to TV companies and sponsors, which would cripple a game already under huge financial strain.

In the meantime, the British l eagues have to be proactive during these two free weekends coming up. Surely the Guinness Pro14 could use one of those vacant slots to at the very least reschedule the derby between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors which was postponed due to the frozen surface at Scotstoun last Friday?

The league organisers need to make the best of a dreadful situation.

Hopefully matters will have improved Covid-wise by the time the British and Irish Lions play three Tests against world champions South Africa starting in mid- July — but again they are likely to have to be played behind closed doors. For a Lions tour, that is far from ideal as the supporters make t he Test matches special.

But it will be a small price to pay just for the tour going ahead.