Six Nations chiefs are expected to issue an update tomorrow of the future of this season's disrupted championships. With the foot and mouth crisis deepening daily, tournament organisers are battling against increasing odds to complete remaining fixtures this season. Three postponed matches have provisionally been rearranged - Wales v Ireland (April 29), Ireland v England (May 5) and Scotland v Ireland (May 12), but with the epidemic showing no sign of receding, Irish rugby bosses maintain they will follow government advice in not resuming fixtures with UK-based teams until 30-days after the last reported case.
That situation renders the Wales/Ireland clash an almost certain non-starter and at this stage, there seems little hope for both scheduled May matches. The tournament is due to continue on April 7 when championship leaders England entertain France, with Wales tackling Italy in Rome the following day. Both games were set to come under scrutiny during Six Nations Committee discussions today. The alternative May dates are also complicated by Premiership play-offs taking place in England, the Heineken Cup final, plus Lions tour preparations ahead of departure for Australia on June 1.
Further Six Nation's postponements would make it virtually impossible to finish the tournament this term. That would leave organisers either having to abandon it or holding over delayed Tests until early next season. Neither of those scenarios are something the Six Nations Committee want, but alternatives are rapidly dwindling. (PA)
Filed by Shane Murray
