6 NATIONS ALL CLEAR
THE Six Nations was last night finally given the green light to go ahead as planned.
Northern Hemisphere rugby’s marquee event had been in doubt due to French Government concern over the spread of the UK strain of Covid-19. The authorities in Paris had already called a halt to two rounds of the European Cup club competition.
And with the eight-week showpiece set to kick-off this Saturday, there was concern that no decision had been made. But France’s sports minister Roxana Maracineanu said
UK teams travelling to France, or the French team re-entering, would be exempt from a seven-day isolation period.
“It was a decision everyone in rugby was awaiting,” said Maracineanu. “The decision has been taken within government to ensure that the Six Nations championship is held on the scheduled date, starting February 6, with a bio-secure bubble, as was the case with the Tour de France.”
A Six Nations spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision.”
WALES legend Shane Williams believes Dan Lydiate is the man to get Wayne Pivac’s struggling side firing again.
Flanker Lydiate, 33, has not played a Test since 2018 but won a recall to the Six Nations squad with head coach Pivac under pressure to get results.
Pivac won just three of 10 games last year as his team finished fifth in the Championship.
Lydiate is set to start against Ireland on Sunday and Wales’ record try-scorer Williams believes he could be the missing link.
“With Dan you get what it says on the tin,” said ex-winger Williams.
“He tackles everything which comes his way. From 2008 onwards and throughout the Warren Gatland era he was one of Wales’ best players.
“The game has changed a lot since then, but the breakdown is still hugely important. We’re seeing far more turnovers now. Dan is a big part of why the Ospreys have earned a lot of breakdown penalties in recent games. He makes the tackle early and low.
“Dan fits the bill with the way the referees are looking at the breakdown.
“It will change the dynamic of the way Wales play.”