Georgia to replace Japan in Autumn Nations Cup

LONDON: Georgia will replace Japan in the new eightteam Autumn Nations Cup competition being held in Europe in November, with the format and fixtures confirmed by organisers yesterday.

After the original November internationals were cancelled because of travel restrictions impacting the southern hemisphere nations, an ``alternative Six Nations’’, with Fiji and Japan added, was devised. Japan then had to withdraw because of Covid19 travel complications, with Georgia stepping in.

The new competition will comprise two pools of four. Group A will include England, Ireland, Wales and Georgia, with Group B comprising France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.

The action gets under way over the weekend of November 1315, kicking off with Ireland v be played, with Wales v Scotland, Italy v England and France v Ireland, on October 31 and Ireland v Italy on October 24.

``While the challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic made the traditional Autumn test window unfeasible, we remained determined to deliver a unique and compelling tournament proposition which would ensure worldclass rugby for our fans globally, and competitive matches for players, unions and federations,'' Six Nations Rugby CEO Ben Morel said.

There will be a Twickenham double header on November 21 when the England men play Ireland and the women play the second of their two autumn internationals, against France.

It is still unclear how many fans, if any, will be able to attend the matches across the competition. — Reuters