Wales v Scotland postponed over coronavirus fears
General view of the Principality Stadium during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
Wales’ Six Nations encounter against Scotland at the Principality Stadium on Saturday has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
After the majority of sports in Europe were cancelled, the relevant authorities were under pressure to call the game off, which they have done at late notice.
Less than five hours after the Welsh Rugby Union said the Principality Stadium encounter remained on, the governing body announced its postponement.
A WRU statement read: “The Welsh Rugby Union has maintained an open dialogue with, and continued to seek advice and direction from, the Welsh Government 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.”
Extraordinarily shambolic from #SixNations, WRU, SRU and governments to leave it until 2pm on the Friday before a match to cancel a game.
Plenty of fans in Cardiff, hotels won’t be refundable I’m sure. Totally avoidable disaster.
Right decision but 24hrs too late.
— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) March 13, 2020
It becomes the fourth clash to be postponed in this season’s Six Nations.
Ireland’s games against Italy and France had already been called off, in addition to England’s appointment with the Azzurri in Rome.
No dates for rearranged matches have yet been announced, although late October is thought to be an option.
Meanwhile, the Scottish squad had already arrived in Cardiff and were training at the Principality Stadium on Friday.
A Scottish Rugby spokesperson said: “Scottish Rugby has acknowledged the decision of the WRU to postpone tomorrow’s Guinness Six Nations match in Cardiff.
“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.”
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones had been due to equal the world Test match appearance record of 148 – held by New Zealand’s World Cup-winning skipper Richie McCaw – on Saturday.
But that feat will now be put on hold probably until the summer, when Wales play Tests against New Zealand in Auckland and Wellington.
The WRU, meanwhile, said that Friday night’s Six Nations U20 game between Wales and Scotland in Colwyn Bay will be played behind closed doors.