England fans waiting over Six Nations trip to Rome

Hministers to say if spectators can go to Super Saturday final hengland women get all-clear to defend title same weekend

England supporters must wait to discover whether they will be allowed to travel to Rome for the Six Nations’ rescheduled Super Saturday, which organisers yesterday confirmed will take place on Oct 31.

Eddie Jones’s team are in pole position to win the Six Nations title, leading France on points difference, although Ireland have a game in hand. In normal circumstances, thousands of England fans would travel to Rome, but at present the Italian government has yet to allow fans to return to stadiums because of coronavirus restrictions.

The remainder of the Serie A season, which concluded last weekend, was played behind closed doors, but football clubs are lobbying the government to allow stadiums to be opened at 40 per cent capacity when the next campaign kicks off on Sept 19. Other sports, such as rugby, are likely to follow football’s lead.

Even if the stadiums are open, it is unclear whether the Italian government would permit thousands of England fans to travel. Despite being one of the worst affected countries at the start of the pandemic, Italy has thus far avoided a second wave, recording 190 new cases and five deaths on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the UK recorded 892 new cases and 65 deaths.

After the Six Nations was suspended in March, organisers say they are “hugely excited” to bring the championship to a conclusion. Ireland play their game in hand against Italy on Oct 24, although the Irish Rugby Football Union says that it is “increasingly unlikely a capacity crowd” will be present.

The Wales v Scotland fixture has yet to be assigned a venue. With the Principality Stadium unavailable, the Welsh Rugby Union is exploring the use of stadiums in Wales and England.

Six Nations organisers insist the decision on whether crowds will be permitted rests with national governments.

“In rescheduling these matches, the health and safety of players, associated staff and supporters has been at the forefront of our thinking,” a Six Nations statement read.

England’s women will have the opportunity to defend their title on the same weekend when they travel to Italy, a week after the women’s championship resumes on Oct 24.

News of the revised schedule will be a huge relief for home unions, whose preparations for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand have stalled in the wake of the pandemic.