Two weeks is a long time in any sport but these last two weeks seemed like a lifetime with what’s been happening in the run-up to round four of the Guinness Six Nations. Russell and Townsend look to have made some sort of peace over ‘third beer gate’, although it’s unlikely Russell will feature in the 2020 Six Nations, which is under consideration to be put behind a paywall, while Coronavirus is causing havoc to the schedule.
-Punch drunk: France end chance of grand slam with loss to Scotland at Murrayfield
-Collapse of communication is the underlying issue between Russel and Townsend feud
Russell vs Townsend
Finn Russell was meant to hold a video conference call with the Scottish coaching staff on Monday to give them some insider information on France, the stand-off having in-depth knowledge of the French game plying his club trade in Paris at Racing 92.
The meeting didn’t emerge due to training schedules running over but Russell has been in contact with Townsend, feeding the head coach information on some of the men in Fabien Galthié’s team that he sees week-in week-out.
Russell and Townsend seem to have buried the hatchet and come to the decision of reintegrating the mercurial fly-half during the summer tests against South Africa and New Zealand, with Russell having a keen eye on one of the three scrum-half places in Warren Gatland’s Lions side for the 2021 tour of South Africa.
Scotland vs France goes ahead as SRU make ‘public health push’
Scotland versus France will go ahead with a “health push” being implemented by Scottish Rugby for the visit of Les Bleus.
Measures put in place for the game to combat the spread of coronavirus include:
• Circulating good hygiene information and NHS Scotland guidance to all spectators.
• Hand sanitisers to be distributed throughout the stadium.
• A primary care facility to be established with First Aid practitioners should someone develop symptoms.
• Medical staff will be on hand within the stadium grounds to speak to anyone who has concerns over their health.
Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer was quoted as saying: “We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of infection by maintaining good hand hygiene, not touching your face, avoiding direct contact with people who have a cold or the flu as well as covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with tissues and disposing of them in the nearest bin after use.”
These precautions are also being implemented for the games at Scotstoun and Netherdale for the women’s and under-20s’ teams.
Coronavirus
Coronavirus has been causing havoc with Ireland versus Italy cancelled and Italy versus England initially agreed to be played behind closed doors. Today it was announced the game would be cancelled. The Federazione Italiana Rugby were unable to sniff their noses up at the income generated from 73,000 spectators at the Stadio Olimpico.
Concerns not only lie with the health of the general public but also when and if the tournament can be finished this year. Discussions over replaying the two postponed games have revealed the next available date on the international rugby calendar could be as far away as June.
Sky makes its move
More bad news for rugby fans as it was revealed on Monday the organisers of the Six Nations will not consider joint bids for the rights to the tournament when they come up for tender in 2021.
BBC and ITV are only able to keep the Six Nations on free-to-air TV through their mutual bid.
Sky will be licking their lips at the announcement and are rumoured to be putting together a package.
The Six Nations’ organisers want a considerable amount more than the £65m a year the rights are currently worth.
It is still believed, even with the announcement that combined bids will not be accepted, BBC and ITV will submit a joint bid in 2021.
Scotland vs France, Sunday 8th March, KO 3pm
For more information on Scottish Rugby’s health push for the Scotland/France game visit the Scottish Rugby website.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 