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The 2021 Women\u2019s Six Nations Championship has been postponed until later this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\nThe 2021 Women\u2019s Six Nations Championship has been postponed until later this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
But tournament organizers say that plans for the men\u2019s tournament, which is due to kick off on February 6th, \u201cremain as scheduled\u201d.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s government is demanding reassurances on safety from England and Ireland before allowing its national side to visit those countries during the Six Nations next month.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Under-20s Six Nations tournament will also be delayed.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Six Nations said: \u201cSix Nations Rugby Limited today confirmed that the Women\u2019s and U20s 2021 Championships will not take place in the regular Six Nations window of February and March this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe women\u2019s championship will instead be scheduled in revised windows later this spring or early summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s Six Nations is viewed as more challenging to deliver safely and successfully amid the pandemic, given the need for many players to return to their jobs, some of which are key and front-line positions.<\/p>\n
Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel added: \u201cWe are fiercely committed to the promotion and development of rugby at all levels, particularly the women\u2019s game, where we see such exciting opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a decision that we rushed into, and we are confident that in looking at a new later window, we will be in a far stronger position to deliver two fantastic tournaments, delivering exciting rugby for fans, and ensuring the safest possible environment in which to stage them for our players.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the men\u2019s tournament, the Six Nations said: \u201cWhilst closely monitoring the situation, Six Nations Rugby also confirms plans to stage the men\u2019s Guinness Six Nations Championship remain as scheduled.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the successful completion of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup, Six Nations Rugby is in constant dialogue with each of its governmental authorities and is further reinforcing its Covid-19 protocols.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe championship kicks off with round one fixtures on February 6th with Italy versus France, followed by England v Scotland, and Wales v Ireland on February 7th.\u201d<\/p>\n