6N 2022

[Slick]

Less than a month to kick off for the celebration of European brotherhood and fraternity, hurrah!

Or is it.

Lots of rumours doing the rounds, so it's difficult to know where we stand. Already this morning I've heard that Wales will play their home games in England, Scottish Government are giving a 6N exemption for live sport, Scotland are considering playing in Newcastle and the French just aren't going to play at all.

6N are saying games will not be postponed, just played behind closed doors.

Really hoped this was all over and like many have been clinging to a 6N for months, very depressing.

[GogLais]

Wales champions in perpetuity then.

[OomStruisbaai]

You need some Springbok gees blown in the competition. We know how to deal with Omicron

[Torquemada 1420]

To compound the shambles that is the Euro comps.

[Slick]

To compound the shambles that is the Euro comps.

Yeah, but don’t really care about them

[robmatic]

Less than a month to kick off for the celebration of European brotherhood and fraternity, hurrah!

Or is it.

Lots of rumours doing the rounds, so it's difficult to know where we stand. Already this morning I've heard that Wales will play their home games in England, Scottish Government are giving a 6N exemption for live sport, Scotland are considering playing in Newcastle and the French just aren't going to play at all.

6N are saying games will not be postponed, just played behind closed doors.

Really hoped this was all over and like many have been clinging to a 6N for months, very depressing.

It will be a bit of a shambles if there are full houses at Twickenham and an empty Murrayfield or Millenium.

I don't think Scotland could manage the games in Newcastle. Apart from the logistical issues, the SRU would be making a mockery of the Scottish Government's rules when they have been the recipient of a fair chunk of funding from them in the last couple of years.

[tcc_dc]

Yeah, cancelled my flight and hotel for the Ireland/Wales game...

Lucky I got to Dublin for the All Blacks game...

But will miss the 6n again

[Paddington Bear]

All a bit silly being behind closed doors now. Wouldn't shock me to see the vast majority of games in England.

[SaintK]

To compound the shambles that is the Euro comps.

Next 2 rounds going ahead. No travelling away team supporters though.

A statement on Friday afternoon read: “EPCR is pleased to clarify that pool stage matches in rounds three and four of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup are set to go ahead as scheduled.
“Following dialogue with the leagues and unions, EPCR has been informed that exemptions for what is termed the ‘pursuit of an economic activity’ which have been put in place by the French government will apply to clubs and match officials who are travelling between France and the UK.

“In addition, discussions are ongoing regarding the five Heineken Champions Cup and two Challenge Cup round two fixtures which were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances arising from changes to border controls between France and the UK. No further comment will be made at this time.”

[SaintK]

All a bit silly being behind closed doors now. Wouldn't shock me to see the vast majority of games in England.

Not sure quite how many English stadiums big enough would be available on a 6N weekend in February or March

[Paddington Bear]

All a bit silly being behind closed doors now. Wouldn't shock me to see the vast majority of games in England.

Not sure quite how many English stadiums big enough would be available on a 6N weekend in February or March

Not so sure - we know Spurs like hosting rugby, Villa and Newcastle both wanted to do more after the RWC, Old Trafford has before, I'm sure Twickenham would love a game a week etc etc.

[SaintK]

All a bit silly being behind closed doors now. Wouldn't shock me to see the vast majority of games in England.

Not sure quite how many English stadiums big enough would be available on a 6N weekend in February or March

Not so sure - we know Spurs like hosting rugby, Villa and Newcastle both wanted to do more after the RWC, Old Trafford has before, I'm sure Twickenham would love a game a week etc etc.

You're probably correct
Just had a quick look:
Newcastle would be ok for the Scottish Home matches 5/2 and 26/2
Spurs only for Wales v France 11/3 which is a Friday 8:00pm ko
Twickenham available for Wales v Scotland 12/2 and for Wales v Italy 19/3
Old Trafford only available 5/2 and 19/3 for any matches.

[Lobby]

Not sure quite how many English stadiums big enough would be available on a 6N weekend in February or March

Not so sure - we know Spurs like hosting rugby, Villa and Newcastle both wanted to do more after the RWC, Old Trafford has before, I'm sure Twickenham would love a game a week etc etc.

You're probably correct
Just had a quick look:
Newcastle would be ok for the Scottish Home matches 5/2 and 26/2
Spurs only for Wales v France 11/3 which is a Friday 8:00pm ko
Twickenham available for Wales v Scotland 12/2 and for Wales v Italy 19/3
Old Trafford only available 5/2 and 19/3 for any matches.

London Stadium at Stratford would also be available on most dates (only exceptions appear to be 26 Feb and 19 March)

[Slick]

I think Scottish government may let it go ahead. No inside track just a bit of reading between the lines

[SaintK]

I think Scottish government may let it go ahead. No inside track just a bit of reading between the lines

I do hope so. Though having attended the ERC final there St James James Park is a great rugby venue

[robmatic]

I think Scottish government may let it go ahead. No inside track just a bit of reading between the lines

I do hope so. Though having attended the ERC final there St James James Park is a great rugby venue

I am loath to admit it as a Middlesbrough fan, but it is a decent stadium, especially if you are up in that big stand with a view of the city.

I also suspect that the games will go ahead at Murrayfield with crowds, but actually the big football stadiums in England would be great for a sold out rugby international.

[Slick]

I think Scottish government may let it go ahead. No inside track just a bit of reading between the lines

I do hope so. Though having attended the ERC final there St James James Park is a great rugby venue

I am loath to admit it as a Middlesbrough fan, but it is a decent stadium, especially if you are up in that big stand with a view of the city.

I also suspect that the games will go ahead at Murrayfield with crowds, but actually the big football stadiums in England would be great for a sold out rugby international.

Went for the SA game in the WC and it was a brilliant weekend

[Torquemada 1420]

To compound the shambles that is the Euro comps.

Next 2 rounds going ahead. No travelling away team supporters though.

A statement on Friday afternoon read: “EPCR is pleased to clarify that pool stage matches in rounds three and four of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup are set to go ahead as scheduled.
“Following dialogue with the leagues and unions, EPCR has been informed that exemptions for what is termed the ‘pursuit of an economic activity’ which have been put in place by the French government will apply to clubs and match officials who are travelling between France and the UK.

“In addition, discussions are ongoing regarding the five Heineken Champions Cup and two Challenge Cup round two fixtures which were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances arising from changes to border controls between France and the UK. No further comment will be made at this time.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59949232

[petej]

I think Scottish government may let it go ahead. No inside track just a bit of reading between the lines

Be surprised if Wales didn't let 6N matches with crowds go a head.

[Ymx]

God it will be good to see some rugby again.

[dkm57]

Good to go, wee nicky gives outdoor crowds the go-head

[Tichtheid]

Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

[petej]

Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

Didn't we do that during one of the Twickenham upgrades and it went pretty well?

[TheFrog]

The way COVID spreads like wildfire, this could be the most unpredictable 6N ever.

You'll have Wales B team taking on England A, then England C would take on France B while Scotland B would be up against Wales A etc...

The team that wins a Grand Slam will either be the luckiest or the one with greatest depth.

[TheFrog]

On another note, for the U20 6N, the French team includes names like Hugo Auradou, or Théo Ntamack... the next generations coming to the forefront.

One thing I like is that 7 of the 45 members of the squad are from Clermont. Here is hoping that this is a promise for a better future for our club.

[OomStruisbaai]

French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

[Chilli]

They should move all the matches to South Africa.
Great Weather for running rugby
Great Time Zone
It will be very cheap when paying with the Pound or Euro.
Covid isn't such an issue here at the moment.

[OomStruisbaai]

We still have crowd restrictions in place.

[Paddington Bear]

Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

Yeah agree with that, I think the challenge is the RFU's finances only really work with the £10m or so they make each Twickenham match day.

[Slick]

The way COVID spreads like wildfire, this could be the most unpredictable 6N ever.

You'll have Wales B team taking on England A, then England C would take on France B while Scotland B would be up against Wales A etc...

The team that wins a Grand Slam will either be the luckiest or the one with greatest depth.

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

[TB63]

Drippy Drakeford to review Welsh rules next week. Hopefully we'll get crowds back, but knowing him, he'll rule for socially distanced scrums..

[tc27]

Think the devolved governments will fall broadly into line with England before the championship starts. With Covid rates as high as they are in France I cant see any travel bans from the UK staying in place so it will just be a question of crowds in the stadiums.

[Paddington Bear]

Can't see Drakeford getting away with keeping Cardiff closed for it's big paydays when things are fine in England and Welsh rugby would empty across the border anyway.

[shaggy]

Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

Yeah agree with that, I think the challenge is the RFU's finances only really work with the £10m or so they make each Twickenham match day.

Steady on. You fuckers are agreeing with Kiwis on this and the last thing we need to do is encourage those twats to start lecturing us on UK rugby matters again.

[sockwithaticket]

Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

Yeah agree with that, I think the challenge is the RFU's finances only really work with the £10m or so they make each Twickenham match day.

It would be nice to move the senior men around a bit, but they are the cash cow.

I think a pretty good job is done of hosting the U20s and women's games in a variety of venues around the country. Granted they're not as big a draw and play smaller venues like Sandy Park or Castle Park, but they do provide the opportunity for those not willing or able to pay for Twickenham tickets and travel to see some international rugby.

[Biffer]

The way COVID spreads like wildfire, this could be the most unpredictable 6N ever.

You'll have Wales B team taking on England A, then England C would take on France B while Scotland B would be up against Wales A etc...

The team that wins a Grand Slam will either be the luckiest or the one with greatest depth.

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

[dpedin]

The way COVID spreads like wildfire, this could be the most unpredictable 6N ever.

You'll have Wales B team taking on England A, then England C would take on France B while Scotland B would be up against Wales A etc...

The team that wins a Grand Slam will either be the luckiest or the one with greatest depth.

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

Unions have a duty for player welfare. I can just see a player taking a Union to court for knowingly let him play against an infected opposition or even with a team mate and subsequently contracting a serious case of covid and long covid and having to retire or at least lose income etc. Unions can't let this happen even if it is an outside bet.

[Slick]

The way COVID spreads like wildfire, this could be the most unpredictable 6N ever.

You'll have Wales B team taking on England A, then England C would take on France B while Scotland B would be up against Wales A etc...

The team that wins a Grand Slam will either be the luckiest or the one with greatest depth.

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

I'm not so sure. They can still maintain bubbles etc and it's a relatively few people having a huge impact across rugby and the wider economy.

[Slick]

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

Unions have a duty for player welfare. I can just see a player taking a Union to court for knowingly let him play against an infected opposition or even with a team mate and subsequently contracting a serious case of covid and long covid and having to retire or at least lose income etc. Unions can't let this happen even if it is an outside bet.

All employers have a duty of welfare but we are happily opening up pubs etc and allow thousands of people to sit together to watch

[I like neeps]

If we are allowed back to stadia, pubs, restaurants etc, is it maybe time to stop testing players and just let the teams deal with it as any other illness? It's going to have to happen at some point.

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

Unions have a duty for player welfare. I can just see a player taking a Union to court for knowingly let him play against an infected opposition or even with a team mate and subsequently contracting a serious case of covid and long covid and having to retire or at least lose income etc. Unions can't let this happen even if it is an outside bet.

Hard to see how that could make it close to a court. Would be exceptionally hard to prove you caught covid on a rugby pitch unless a player is living in some insane bio-bubble they never leave even for training as someone in the squad could catch it for bars/restaurants/clubs/family members etc.

What we know about covid transmission it seems much more likely to be infected by your own team. I agree with slick it's time to stop testing symptomless individuals.