The coronavirus pandemic appears to have hit the Six Nations Championship off the pitch, as well as on it.
The proposed £300 million package by CVC Capital Partners to invest in Europe's flagship rugby tournament has been delayed, according to reports, as rugby deals with the financial crisis resulting from the Covid-19 shutdown of sport.
CVC’s bumper offer for a significant stake in the Six Nations was expected to have been completed in the last couple of weeks and was widely expected to lead to matches going onto pay per view TV.
However, the Six Nations have confirmed the coronavirus lockdown has not only pushed back any completion of an agreement with the Luxembourg-based buyout group, but is also shaping ongoing talks.
A spokesman told the Financial Times: “We have not agreed to either take a break, nor to push through a completed agreement.
"The conversations are simply ongoing and obviously take into account the new environment created by the current pandemic.”
The Financial Times also report CVC declined to comment on the matter.
Those close to the talks say a deal could still be completed by the end of the year, but admit it is is unclear whether the terms will be the same as initially proposed.
The major talking point from the CVC deal was the prospect of the Six Nations being removed from free-to-air television.
Last month it emerged Sky had become favourites to land the biggest contract in rugby history under a game-changing arrangement that would see BBC and ITV left on the margins.
Attempts by MPs to get the Government to intervene, by placing the Six Nations on the list of protected TV sports, fell through. The list of sports which must be beamed on terrestrial TV include Wimbledon, the Olympics and the FA Cup final, but the Government declined the new request to also include the Six Nations.
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In Wales, in particular, interest in the tournament is extraordinary every year, highlighted in 2019 when Alun Wyn Jones and his team clinched the Grand Slam against Ireland. Those watching the game on TV this side of the Bridge peaked at an 87 per cent share of the total viewing audience at the time.
It was suggested in February the home unions were seeking a compromise, based on one match per round being shown on free-to-air TV.
Whether the coronavirus crisis and financial hit the home unions have taken can affect the terms of the Six Nations deal with CVC remains to be seen.
