SIX NATIONS ROOF SAGA LATEST
Principality Stadium roof will now be CLOSED for Six Nations opener
THE Principality Stadium roof will be closed after all for tomorrow’s Six Nations opener between Wales and Scotland following a dramatic new twist in the saga.
Yesterday lunchtime, the WRU revealed the roof would be open for the eagerly-awaited Championship clash.
They said that was in line with a request made by Scotland on Tuesday.
Under Six Nations rules, both teams must agree for the retractable roof to be closed.
Wales wanted it shut, as head coach Warren Gatland made clear in his press conference, also on Tuesday. However, it’s understood from WRU sources that the feedback from Scotland was they wanted it open, but with the caveat they may opt for it to be closed later in the week.
Working on that original information, it was announced by the WRU at lunchtime yesterday that the roof would be open.
But, a few hours later, there was a change of plan.
The WRU say Scotland have now agreed to the Welsh request for the roof to be shut. With heavy rain forecast tomorrow, that should certainly make for a more entertaining spectacle.
Speaking on Wednesday, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend presented his own version of events over the roof.
“I asked him (Gatland) what he wanted and then said I’d get back to him, so we’re still to make that decision,” he said.
“I’ll be honest with you, we would like dry conditions, so if it’s dry conditions outside, then there’s no need to close the roof and let’s have a really good game.
“So, we’ve been watching the weather forecasts very closely and we’ll have to make a decision and inform them.
“Thursday night would be best. We could leave it until Friday, but we’d want to make that decision to help them out on the Thursday night. By then we should know if it’s going to be dry or not.”
Earlier in the week, Gatland had said: “My opinion is that it’s our stadium and we should decide.
“But we’ve always been consistent about feeling it should be closed.
“At the moment, it’s pretty much decided by the away team, but it’s our stadium and we should decide what happens on it. Our position hasn’t changed on that.
“We would request for it to be closed, but the away team potentially makes the decision.”
Meanwhile, Wales have picked up another untimely injury blow with hooker Scott Baldwin set to be ruled out for the remainder of the season after picking up a foot injury in training. The Scarlets’ Ryan Elias has been called up as replacement for the Six Nations, with Baldwin requiring surgery with a recovery time frame of at least five months.
Elias becomes the 14th Scarlet to feature in Warren Gatland’s squad, 12 of whom are in the match-day 23 to face Scotland.
WALES have promised a hot homecoming for Scarlets star John Barclay when Scotland open their Six Nations Championship campaign at the Principality Stadium tomorrow.
The Scots have already talked up the benefits of having a Scarlets ‘mole’ in Gregor Townend’s camp this week, with Barclay having an innate knowledge of what makes the Welsh players tick having spent the last five years plying his trade for the Scarlets.
And though Barclay will be outnumbered 10 to one in Cardiff on Saturday – Wales star Hadleigh Parkes says he can expect no favours.
Asked if Barclay might gain an edge, given his potential inside knowledge, a smiling Parkes said: “It might do, but I don’t think so.
“He is a pretty sensible man, but it is just what happens on the day. He might know us, but we know him pretty well, too.
“He is quite a niggly player, but a good player as well. I hope we can get stuck into him. The spoils after the game would be good.”
Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell, another one of the sizeable Scarlets contingent, can expect to be in Barclay’s sights as Scotland look to close down his time and space.
But Parkes added: “Patch is used to that – most 10s are. Everyone likes to get stuck into a 10. He is big enough to be able to take care of himself.
“He has a pretty calm head for a young lad. He has a pretty impressive and sizeable boot on him, and he is extremely fast for a 10 as well.
“Give him the outside break or a one-on-one opportunity, more often than not he comes off first. This opportunity for him will be huge, and I hope he has a great game.”
Parkes arrived on the Test match scene only two months ago after completing his Wales residency qualification period, and he made an instant impression by claiming a try double in Wales’ 24-22 victory over South Africa.
His parents Bill and Janet will travel from New Zealand to watch their son’s Six Nations debut, and Parkes is relishing being part of European rugby’s blue riband event.
“The history has been so big over the years,” he said.
“These are the biggest rivalries – Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Italy.
“They are big, and the fans make it a pretty impressive tournament. I have been to a fair few games since I have been over here, and you don’t get an atmosphere like this in the southern hemisphere.
“The rivalry between the six nations is huge and has been around a long time. More importantly, the fans really love it and get right behind it.
“Scotland have been playing extremely well in the last couple of years, and they really try to up the tempo, with quick lineouts and thriving on mistakes and turnover ball. We have to nullify that, not have too many mistakes and play some good footy.”