SCOTLAND’S Six Nations clash against Wales at the Principality Stadium tomorrow [Saturday] has belatedly been postponed in response to the evolving Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, and Scottish Rugby has announced that all domestic competition and training will be suspended from this Sunday until 29th March.
However, the Under-20s clash between Scotland and Wales in Colwyn Bay tonight [Friday] is still on but will behind closed doors.
A statement issued by Scottish Rugby said –
In light of government restrictions on public gatherings and the resulting pressure on emergency services and healthcare provision, Scottish Rugby has decided that with effect from Sunday 15 March at 6pm there will be a short period without domestic competition (or training) whilst a further assessment can be made. This will be in effect up to, and including, 29 March 2020.
This will impact rugby in all domestic league and cup fixtures, training, festivals and other rugby events as well as the FOSROC Super6 tournament, which come under Scottish Rugby’s jurisdiction. During this suspension period Scottish Rugby will undertake further assessment and advise on any further action that may be required.
The Scottish Rugby Age-Grade Programme (male and female) will also be cancelled with immediate effect for the remainder of the season. This includes all training sessions that were planned for the age-grade teams as well as all other age-grade internationals for the rest of the season. However, the U20 Six Nations fixture tonight versus Wales will still go ahead in Colwyn Bay.
“Scottish Rugby has acknowledged the decision of the WRU to postpone tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations match in Cardiff,” said a Scottish Rugby spokesperson.
“While it is disappointing the fixture could not go ahead there are clearly wider public safety issues unfolding at this unprecedented time. We support the WRU in the difficult decision they have had to make and will continue to have strong relationship with them going forward.
“All the Scotland players and management team would like to pass on their thanks to the Scotland fans who were aiming to attend the match and share their disappointment this game now will not be played.
“The team will aim to return to Scotland at the earliest opportunity.”
A statement issued by the Welsh Rugby Union said –
Wales’ Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff tomorrow has been postponed.
The Welsh Rugby Union has maintained an open dialogue with, and continued to seek advice and direction from, the National Assembly for Wales and other stakeholders, including the Six Nations, on this fast-moving issue.
Whilst medical advice remains consistent, we have decided that it is in the best interests of supporters, players and staff to fall in line with recent measures taken across the UK and global sports industries.
The WRU would like to thank all parties for their counsel on the subject and will make further announcements with respect to rescheduling the fixture in the coming days.
Every effort has been made to stage this game and we appreciate that individuals will have been inconvenienced. Given the fluid and unprecedented nature of this issue, a postponement became the only viable option.
The Unions and 6 Nations are a disgrace. For Davies to say they could not have dealt with it any better. We traveled down on Friday not believing the game could be on. Got to Birmingham to find it had been called off. Now, i agree that it should have been called of but much earlier. In my somewhat cynical opinion keeping the game on was done for purely financial greed by the WRU, 6 Nations and Cardiff. The WRU are still saying there will a possible refund if you cannot attend when the match is eventually played. No showing of good will, just ensuring that the money stays in their account!!
Reading this article is a real cause for concern.I do feel for the supporters of both nations who have paid hard earned money to be at this fixture.
Were does the finger of blame point here WRU ? SRU ? NHS ? or the elected government ? Its a question.
Will these fixtures ever be played again to complete 2020 6 nations tournament ?? the best rugby tournament in the world.
Hope they take the extra time to build bridges between a certain player and manager
No worries. Shame about the match. However, there will be many thousands of supporters in Cardiff who will have arrived on Thursday, Friday and even earlier. . I imagine they can all get together for sing-song.
Dodson is very quiet at the moment – or is he busy taking legal advice?
Just caught the end of the Under 20 fixture and didn’t the lads do well 17-52 I think that is their greatest margin of victory. Looks good for the future, hopefully.
Obviously feel sorry for the lads that travelled down to Wales for the main fixture.
This decision is inept and displays I’ll comprehension of the issues involved. These decisions help to increase the unreasonable anxieties that people have and go counter to medical advice. For once I supported the Westminster stance based on the evidence. Different countries make decisions for different reasons. I am of a medical background incidentally. We need herd immunity otherwise this outbreak of covid19 will hang around for a long time. I am also over 60 btw.Deeply disappointed at the Welsh Rugby Union.Supporters will be livid . However they’ll get to enjoy themselves in the crowded pubs of Cardiff without the benefit of fresh air and ultraviolet light!!
This could and should have been dealt with Earlier by the powers that be long before supporters made the journey .
Total shambles .
Ps all these supporters are now put in unnecessary risk now in Cardiff
It’s a disgrace that this game wasn’t postponed earlier in the week The Welsh Rugby Union and the Scottish Rugby Union officials should be ashamed of themselves. The Scottish Rugby supporters travelling down to Wales have not been considered during the build up to this match It was obvious early in the week that this games should have been postponed Money before the safety and financial consequences to the Scottish and Welsh rugby supporters Do both Rugby Unions really care about their supporters? – NO
They effectively ignored the Amber light & attempted to beat the red light.
What utter ineptitude.