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Ireland’s 2020 highlights, one in the Six Nations against France, as well as the RWC qualifiers, will not take place this year as World Rugby, Rugby Europe and Six Nations decided to cancel and postpone the rest of the games. of the year.
The clash with the French was one of three that had yet to occur, along with Italy against Scotland and Wales against Scotland, but Six Nations Rugby says it has made the “difficult decision” not to continue given current restrictions due to Covid. – 19.
The table for the 2020 Championship will remain as it is with England already crowned the Grand Slam winner after having played and won all five of their matches, ending with victory over Italy in Rome a week ago.
Ireland enjoyed three wins out of four before what would have been their final match.
Originally arranged, France agreed to travel to Donnybrook to comply with the match as amateur players from Ireland would have had to be quarantined for 14 days upon their return home. However, the game was postponed after a Covid-19 outbreak in the French countryside.
The Six Nations said that restrictions affecting team preparations, travel and the inability to host matches due to the sport’s amateur status have made successful completion of the championship “impossible.”
“This was an extremely difficult decision that was only made after we had explored all possible options for these matches to be played,” said Ben Morel, Executive Director of Six Nations Rugby:
“It is especially disappointing that these cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum surrounding women’s football and, in particular, the Women’s Six Nations.
“Now, with our unions, we will put our focus and energy on the 2021 Championship.”
Elsewhere, Ireland was due to play the 2021 Rugby World Cup qualifiers next month, but are now delayed for next year.
IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby Anthony Eddy said: “Covid-19 has been disruptive to many people, and from the beginning of the pandemic we set out to be flexible and dynamic in our response to changing circumstances.
“The team has been positive through all of this and will continue to work hard to improve. We have been focused on the playoffs for over a year and that will not change.
“The group achieved three victories at the home of the Six Nations in 2020, which is an excellent result, and this additional time will allow for further preparation in qualifying for the 2021 World Cup.
“The team has a very busy schedule and our plan will change slightly: they will regroup and the competition for positions will intensify as we all focus on preparing for 2021.”
The RWC draw is scheduled for Friday, November 20 in Auckland.
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