Wales to head west for big clash with England

WALES’ autumn clash with England will be played behind closed doors at Parc y Scarlets as the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed all of their home internationals this autumn would be played in Llanelli.

With their usual home of the Principality Stadium unavailable after being used as a makeshift hospital this year to help deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, Wales have had to look elsewhere for their four home matches pencilled in for this autumn.

The rearranged Six Nations fixture against Scotland on October 31 and the Autumn Nations Cup clash with Georgia on November 21 had already been confirmed to take place at the home of the Scarlets.

However, there were plans in place for Wales’ other home matches – against England on November 28 and an Autumn Nations Cup play-off against one of either France, Scotland, Italy or Fiji on December 5 – to be played in London in order to maximise potential revenue from attendances. But, with the prospect of getting fans in to watch matches in England looking very unlikely, the WRU has now confirmed Wayne Pivac’s side will play all their home matches in Llanelli.

“It is no secret that more than threequarters of the annual income which supports Welsh rugby at all levels comes directly from our international game and specifically from hosting Wales matches in front of capacity crowds,” said WRU CEO Steve Phillips.

“That is why we made contingency plans to play matches in London and why we have waited as long as possible before resigning ourselves to the prospect of playing ‘behind closed doors’ in Wales.

“This news, however inevitable it may have become during recent days, is a financial setback, but it has not been unforeseen and measures have been and will be taken to mitigate for our losses. Of course we understand there is a bigger picture at play and the health of the nation and its individuals, which include our supporters, players, administrators and the many volunteers in our game throughout the country, must come first.

“On a positive note we are delighted that the international game returned this week, that the 2020 Six Nations Championship will finally be concluded and that we have an exciting Autumn Nations Cup tournament ahead of us. We know the nation will be tuning in en masse and will be with us at Parc y Scarlets in spirit if not in person and we look forward to the day when we will all be able to gather together once again in more familiar circumstances

Eddie Jones’ England will now travel to Llanelli on November 28, with the Autumn Nations Cup playoff taking place the following week on December 5.

Scarlets chief operating officer Phil Morgan added: “A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes from the staff at the Welsh Rugby Union and here at Parc y Scarlets and we are honoured to be the home for the national side for the entire autumn campaign. We look forward to welcoming Wayne and the team here this weekend for what promises to be a hugely entertaining first match against Scotland.” at

Principality

Stadium.”