What happens if Six Nations match is cancelled? That is something that could now realistically happen with Wales players reportedly on the verge of striking.
The prospect of a player walking out looms due to the fact that the well-documented contract dispute remains unsolved at the time of writing.
RUCK’s 2023 Six Nations content powered by ISUZU.
The Six Nations Championship is contested once each season by the international sides of France, England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Each team plays the other five once per season with home advantage in alternate seasons, giving a total of 15 matches per Championship.
Ordinarily, the Championship takes place in February and concludes by the end of March, with rest weekends in weeks three and five.
What’s happening in Wales?
Next week, during a meeting of the organization representing professional players in Wales, the possibility of taking industrial action will be discussed.
The proposed walk-out would require the support of prominent and well-known players from Wales to address issues that are of greater concern to players in the middle ranks.
Around 70 players – including some current Wales Six Nations squad members – are out of contract at the end of the 2022-23 season with no renewals being offered..
Wales face England on Saturday, 25 February.
How much money would the WRU lose?
Approx £8.1m according to Wales Online.
What happens if Six Nations match is cancelled?
In the case a match is cancelled, it’s likely a Six Nations panel will be convened to determine the allocation of points and a further announcement would be made shortly after.
If it operates similar to the Premiership, England would likely be awarded a win without a bonus-point with Wales receiving nothing.
The WRU could also be fined for not meeting their obligations by broadcasters and sponsors.
Graded: Every Six Nations Team After the First Two Weeks
The first two rounds of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations have been wrapped up, with Ireland and Scotland recording two wins from two matches. England and France both secured one win and also suffered one loss, with Wales and Italy yet to find a win. So, here are RUCK’s grades for each side, after the first two weeks of the competition.
Ireland – A*
World Rugby’s Number One ranked side have certainly been meeting expectations so far in the Six Nations. Ireland began their campaign strongly, with a 10-34 away win in Cardiff. Wales were a beaten side after just 25 minutes, with first half tries from Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe. 12 additional first half points from the boot of Jonny Sexton established a healthy first half lead, which Ireland built upon in the second 40 minutes.
Hints of a Welsh comeback never fully took off, despite their best attempts. Liam Williams found a break-through scoring Wales’ consolation try, yet Ireland were just far too dominant in the collision. Ireland’s second round fixture against France was seen by many as an early Six Nations decider. Andy Farrell’s men were not fazed by the grand occasion and took the fight directly to France. Les Bleus were still stunned from narrowly avoiding defeat to Italy, and were eventually overrun by the likes of Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and a dramatic photo-finish try from James Lowe.
Ireland look unbeatable, and are on track to win the Grand Slam, and an upcoming first ever Rugby World Cup.
France – C
The reigning Six Nations Champions entered this years’ competition with high expectations, and as joint favourites along with Ireland. However, France have not had the straight-forward path to back-to-back titles that they were hoping for, as they were taken to the wire by Italy, and beaten by Ireland in a thriller at the Aviva.
There has been sparks of the famed ‘jouer’ flair, with Damian Penaud’s stunning try against Ireland being replayed time and again. Antoine Dupont has been pulling off a reserved version of his usual tricks, as France are not playing with the same confidence and swagger which beat South Africa and New Zealand last Autumn. Italy should have beaten France, and deep down Fabien Galthie and his men know that it was a lucky escape. The match against the ‘Azzurri’ left France in shock, and they will need to bounce back from Irish defeat if they want to salvage this Six Nations.
Humbled by Italy and overrun by Ireland, France need to re-find their top form to finish strong in the coming weeks.
