"Who knows when the Six Nations will be played?" - Pivac
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The possibility now exists that the 2021 Six Nations might be delayed in the hope that, if it is, a significant number of spectators will be allowed into stadiums to watch.
In the current climate, with the Covid-19 infections on the rise in the UK, it does not look like fans will be welcomed into stadia any time soon, which is less than ideal in terms of the Six Nations competition.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said:
"Who knows when the next Six Nations will be played? There is talk that it may be pushed out slightly, with the current climate around what this virus might be doing.
"So, I think there are going to be discussions that are ongoing and that’s the smart thing to be doing. Obviously, we are in a position now with no crowds – or very little crowds – and most unions will be in the same boat.
"They’ll be desperate not only for tournament to go ahead, but also to make sure that there are crowds in the future so that we can meet our financial obligations to the game.
"We have taken quite a pounding over the previous few months and it hasn’t helped anyone with having no crowds."
The lockdown has cost the Welsh Rugby Union a fortune – the Union’s main source of income being test matches which fetch around £4 million per game.
In response to the notion that the relevant Unions could not afford to have the played behind closed doors, Pivac said:
"You make a valid point and everybody is feeling it at the moment. If the dates remain, we will be playing whether it’s packed crowds or not, we will do our bit to prepare as best we can to get the results we’re after.
"Obviously everyone would like to see it back to where it was pre-Covid with full crowds and the atmosphere and the spin-off it has for Cardiff and other cities and the country as a whole.
"We all want the same thing and we have to make sure we make smart decisions based on the health and well-being of the community and the financial situation and make the best possible decision for everybody."
