2020 Women’s Six Nations cancelled
The remaining 2020 fixtures for the Irish Women’s Rugby team have been cut short due to current COVID-19 restrictions. The announcement means Ireland will not face France in their final Six Nations clash. The competition will finish as it stands now, with England crowned as Grand Slam Winners.
Ireland were originally scheduled to play France on October 31st. The game was moved to Donneybrook to facilitate Ireland’s amateur players who would’ve had to quarantine for 14 days had they travelled to France. However, the game was soon called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the French camp.
CEO of Six Nations Rugby, Ben Morel expressed his disappointment as the “cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum around the women’s game and for the Women’s Six Nations in particular”. Nevertheless, Morel admits that a decision was made after “every possible option” was first explored.
2021 World Cup Qualifiers postponed
In addition to the Six Nations match against France, Ireland were also set to kickstart their 2021 World Cup qualifying campaign in December. These games have now been postponed until the new year. In spite of the bad news, IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy, remains positive. He will now seek opportunities for the squad to continue to train and prepare for the RWC qualifiers.
IRFU Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy, today said that they will look at the performance opportunities available to his women’s team after World Rugby, Rugby Europe and Six Nations confirmed fixture postponements and cancelations due to COVID-19. https://t.co/7QmGnM12Nc
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 10, 2020
The draw for the Women’s 2021 RWC in New Zealand is set to take place on the 20th of November.
