Scotland to face Wales in October
● Scotland’s postponed match away to Wales included in the revised calendar
Scotland will complete their suspended Six Nations campaign in October, when they play their postponed match away to Wales.
World Rugby yesterday announced that the four matches called off due to Covid-19 will now be played on the weekends of 24 and 31 October.
The autumn Tests are expected to be replaced by an eight-team tournament involving the Six Nations sides along with Japan and Fiji.
The postponed 2020 Guinness Six Nations campaign will conclude on the weekends of 24 and 31 October, World Rugby has announced.
A programme of autumn internationals has also been approved by the governing body.
International rugby was halted by the coronavirus pandemic in March, leaving four Six Nations matches left to play.
World Rugby has approved a temporary global player release window between 24 October and the first weekend of December.
Scotland are scheduled to face Wales, while Ireland have outstanding Six Nations matches against Italy and France to complete, and the Italians must also host England.
This year’s autumn Tests are then expected to be replaced by an eight-team tournament in which the Six Nations sides will be joined by Japan and Fiji.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said in a statement: “The global Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented in its impact on society and sport, and throughout this process all parties have sought to deliver the best-possible outcome to support the interests of international and club rugby and the players.
“Agreement and approval of this schedule is exciting for players and fans and an important step in supporting our unions in mitigating financial impact and optimising the sport’s return from the pandemic in an equitable way.
“These matches will be greatly anticipated by all, and I would like to thank unions, the international and club competitions and players for their input and the fans for their patience as we have sought to get international rugby back up and running.”
On an exceptional basis, the Rugby Championship – contested by Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa – will take place over a reduced six-week period between 7 November and the second week in December.
SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby), which organises the competition, has asked New Zealand to host matches.
World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte said: “Today represents an important day for our sport as the first steps towards recovery from the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“This has been no small effort and there have been some robust conversations, but the position approved by council today represents the best interests of the global game and I look forward to seeing the world’s best players doing what they do best back on the international stage.”