Players chief sees threat from new autumn fixture

The head of the international players’ body says he is “very concerned” by Wales’ decision to play Scotland in November, a game he believes is being staged “for commercial reasons” and which could undermine the Six Nations.

It was announced last week that the two would meet in Cardiff on Nov 3, nine months after they do so in the Six Nations opener. It means both will be playing four matches in the autumn internationals, a regular occurrence for Wales but the first time Scotland have done so since 2004, and is the first time two tier-one northern hemisphere sides have met during the autumn.

Omar Hassanein, chief executive of the International Rugby Players Association (IRPA), has voiced his fears, which come amid calls for the number of fixtures to be reduced in the light of player-welfare concerns.

“We are concerned on a couple of levels,” said Hassanein. “There wasn’t enough consultation with the coaches, players and whatnot, as we understand. Also, is that particular game giving any additional value? We don’t endorse ever-expanding seasons at any point, but it would be better to see a northern hemisphere team play a southern hemisphere team to bring a different set of elements to things. It sounds like a commercially driven decision and that is concerning.”

Hassanein warned that the quality of the Six Nations was at risk if teams started playing each other more than once a year.

“The commercial interests of the game and the player-welfare interests of the game sometimes align and sometimes pull against each other – and, at the moment, they seem the be pulling against each other more than ever,” he added.

“We don’t want to over-saturate the game such as it diminishes quality. If we start pitching northern hemisphere teams against each other, what does that do to the quality of the Six Nations?”

The Welsh Rugby Union last night declined to comment.