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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Paul Abbandonato

French issue statement over their Six Nations concerns amid fears over whether tournament can go ahead

The French government is demanding reassurances from England and Ireland before letting France visit those countries during the Six Nations.

Only the Championship's opening fixture against Italy in Rome on February 6 has been approved by Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu, it was revealed at a Press briefing.

The French authorities have concerns over the soaring number of Covid-19 cases in the UK and Ireland and have already barred their clubs from taking part in European competition this month.

Fears have also been raised about whether the Six Nations can go ahead as planned.

Six Nations chiefs held talks in Paris on Tuesday and discussions will be ongoing as organisers attempt to convince the government that sufficient coronavirus protocols are in place.

It is highly unlikely the tournament would go ahead without France, who play Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on February 14 and England at Twickenham on March 13.

They wind up with a Paris clash against Wayne Pivac's Wales and also host Scotland in Paris.

"We keep the first match," Maracineanu told a press conference. "On the other hand, against Ireland and England we absolutely need to have the necessary guarantees from these countries.

"There has to be proof that the other nations' virus framework respects the same requirements in terms of precaution. We expect the same thing from the other teams."

The Women's Six Nations and Under-20s competitions, which are traditionally run in tandem with the men's, are set to be postponed until April and May with official confirmation of their delay expected on Wednesday.

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