Six Nations games will NOT be automatically cancelled if there is a Covid outbreak

Six Nations games will NOT be automatically cancelled if there is a Covid outbreak during the tournament with organisers determined to ensure all 18 Tests are played

  • Six Nations games will not be automatically cancelled in event of Covid outbreak
  • It could lead to an extended Championship – if fixtures are forced to be called off
  • The preference of bosses is to delay games until they are able to be played safely

Six Nations matches will not be automatically cancelled in the event of a coronavirus outbreak during the tournament, with bosses determined all games will be played.

That could lead to an extended Championship – if positive virus cases force the calling-off of fixtures – or games being played in the two ‘fallow’ weeks.

Sportsmail understands there is no set number of cases within a squad that would force a postponement, but the preference of tournament chiefs is to delay games until they are able to be played safely.

Six Nations matches will not be automatically cancelled in the event of a coronavirus outbreak

In the Autumn Nations Cup, run by the same big six European unions, all but one of Fiji’s matches were cancelled after an outbreak in their camp, with 28-0, five-point defeats administered each time.

But as the Six Nations holds far more cachet and is such a short competition organisers will move heaven and earth to play all 18 Tests whenever they can in a packed rugby calendar.