Where would Wales play if they have to go on the road?
THERE are very few certainties in sport right now.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to lock down the UK and, as such, rugby is suspended for the foreseeable future.
What is becoming increasingly likely with each passing day, though, is that the Welsh Rugby Union will have to find a new home for Wayne Pivac’s side when the sport does return.
The Principality Stadium is currently a 2,000-bed fully-functioning field hospital to aid in the fight against Covid-19.
Plans are in place for October and November to be stacked with Test match rugby, injecting some desperately-needed revenue back into the game when it is safe to do so.
The WRU are already exploring the possibility of having to take Wales on the road for those autumn matches and the Echo understands the ground may not be available for the 2021 Six Nations, if it were to take place in its usual February/March window.
So what are the options?
If sport returns behind closed doors then, frankly, the size of the venue does not really matter.
All that would be required are adequate dressing room facilities and room for TV cameras.
But if the sport does return to a point where at least some fans are allowed back into grounds, then that must be a consideration if the Principality Stadium is still not ready to host rugby again.
With all that in mind, here’s what’s on offer...
The most straightforward option would be to take Wales to Rodney Parade.
The WRU own the ground and would not have to pay for the use of it, which becomes a factor with a few of the other options.
It comes ready for action, with all the broadcasting facilities in place, although a bit more room might be needed to accommodate all the media that attend Wales matches.
There are some other considerations, though.
The dressing rooms, whilst fit for the Guinness PRO14, would be deemed particularly small for international level. Bigger, temporary facilities would likely need to be installed.
The pitch has, at times, looked a little ropey this season and there were plans to re-lay it before the coronavirus hit.
However, you’d think after a significant period of inactivity, it would be in shape to host some rugby in six months’ time.
Then there’s Newport County. The Football League will be doing everything in their power to have got football back underway by then, leading to possible complications and fixture clashes.
However, it would seem a good bet.
Another particularly viable option is Stadiwm Zip World, the home of RGC, in Colwyn Bay.
Wales under-20s have used the venue for years to play out their Six Nations home matches. Wales’ senior side also played a training match there against RGC before heading on their summer tour in 2017.
It would appear to have adequate facilities to cope with the demands of broadcasters. Might be undesirable if fans are allowed in to watch due to the limited capacity of around 6,000.
But if games remain behind closed doors, it’s certainly a contender.
Cardiff City Stadium, Swansea’s Liberty Stadium and Wrexham’s Racecourse are all worth thinking about.
The home of the Bluebirds took in the Cardiff Blues for two years between 2009 and 2011. It was also due to host the Guinness PRO14 final this season but that has now been binned.
The Liberty Stadium host the Ospreys and have done so for many years and there was also a Probables v Possibles trial match played out there before the 2014 tour of South Africa.
Clearly, both grounds are adept at hosting professional sport, with Cardiff City Stadium boasting a 33,000 capacity and the Liberty coming in at 21,000.
However, issues once again arise when it comes to potential clashes, with Cardiff City and Swansea City football teams likely to also be back playing at some point.
The clubs would also likely command a hefty fee to use the arenas and, if there are no fans allowed inside the stadium, question marks arise over whether it makes sense financially.
But if fans are allowed back in, then the two venues become genuine contenders because even if only a limited number of spectators are permitted, it would still be more than on offer anywhere else in Wales.
The Racecourse in Wrexham is also worth considering and Wales have played there in the past. With a rather more modest capacity of 10,000, it would likely only be under consideration for behind-closed-doors matches, though the fee is likely to be smaller than at the Liberty or Cardiff City Stadium.
And, with Wrexham’s season being cancelled, there’s no chance of a clash until football resumes.
This would be an attractive option for the WRU, with the ground’s facilities better than what are on offer at Rodney Parade. The changing rooms, broadcasting facilities and media areas are all closer to what is expected for international rugby.
There is also the indoor training facility on site, which could be utilised if more room is required and the playing surface is regularly excellent.