Six Nations organisers postpone U-20 and women’s competitions
The Women’ s Six Nations and the men’s Under-20 Six Nations will not take place in their planned February-March slot this year.
The coronavirus lockdowns across Europe have complicated planning, but organisers hope to reschedule the women’s championship for later this spring or in early summer but it is unclear if and when the U20 tournament will happen.
Plans to stage the men’ s Guinness Six Nations Championship remain on course, with the first games due to take place on the weekend of February 6-7, including the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham.
The women’s competition is a key part of teams' preparations for the World Cup, which is due to take place in New Zealand from mid-september.
In 2020, three Women's Six Nations fixtures were cancelled because of coronavirus.
England were the only home nation to play all five of their 2020 fixtures, with Scotland playing three and Wales and Ireland playing four.
This year Ireland, Scotland and Italy's Six Nations fixtures may also double as World Cup qualification matches as none of the three sides have qualified for the tournament, which is due to start on September 18.
Scottish Rugby’ s head of women’ s performance, Gemma Fay, said :“While it is disappointing that the tournament could not go ahead as scheduled, we support the decision and will work closely with the tournament to iden--tify date son which all postponed matches will take place.
“Due tot heun predict able nature of this virus, it is important that we continue to be agile and flexible, as we have been for the past year, in dealing with these situations, particularly as we strive to be ready for the qualification tournament for this year’ s World Cup."
“Throughout this difficult period, I have continually been impressed by how our players and management have adapted to each challenge and I have no doubt that they will continue to work hard as we prepare for Six Nations and the World Cup Qualifiers.”
The statement from the organisers said: “The Women’s Championship will instead be scheduled in revised windows later this spring or early summer. Six Nations Rugby confirmed it will finalise the respective timings and formats for both the Women’s and U20s competitions in consultation with all unions, broadcast partners and stakeholders, with details to be announced by the end of January.
“Whilst closely monitoring the situation, Six Nations Rugby also confirms plans to stage the men’s championship remain as scheduled. Six Nations Rugby is in constant dialogue with each of its governmental authorities and is further reinforcing its Covid -19 protocols .”
Ben Morel, the chief executive of Six Nations Rugby Limited, added: “We are fiercely committed to the promotion and development of rugby at all levels, particularly the women’s game where we see such exciting opportunity for growth.
"This is not a decision that we rushed into and we are confident that in looking at a new later window, we will be in a far stronger position to deliver two fantastic tournaments.”