Six Nations organisers issue update on Women's and Under-20 Championships

Organisers hope to reschedule the women’s championship for later this spring or in early summer but it is unclear if and when the U20 tournament will happen.

Plans to stage the men’s Guinness Six Nations Championship remain on course, with the first games due to take place on the weekend of February 6-7, including the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham.

The full statement from the organisers said: “Six Nations Rugby Limited today confirmed that the Women’s & U20s 2021 Championships will not take place in the regular Six Nations window of February and March this year. The Women’s Championship will instead be scheduled in revised windows later this spring or early summer

“Six Nations Rugby confirmed it will finalise the respective timings and formats for both the Women’s and U20s competitions in consultation with all unions, broadcast partners and stakeholders, with full details to be announced by the end of January.

“Whilst closely monitoring the situation, Six Nations Rugby also confirms plans to stage the men’s Guinness Six Nations Championship remain as scheduled. Following 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. The Championship kicks off with Round 1 fixtures on the 6th February with Italy v France, followed by England v Scotland, and Wales Ireland on February 7th.”

Ben Morel, the chief executive of Six Nations Rugby Limited, added: “We are fiercely committed to the promotion and development of rugby at all levels, particularly the women’s game where we see such exciting opportunity for growth. This 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.”

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