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Dates confirmed for rescheduled women's and U20s Six Nations

(Photo by Chris Ricco/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Dates for the postponed Six Nations women’s and U20s championships have been confirmed, a condensed women’s championship taking place in April with the U20s set to take centre stage in June and July. 

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A statement from the tournament organisers read: “Starting on the weekend of April 3/4 and finishing on April 24, this year’s women’s championship will see a new and condensed format similar to that of the recent Autumn Nations Cup, culminating in a grand final weekend to crown the Six Nations champions. 

“The format will comprise two pools of three teams with each team playing one home and one away fixture. Once the pool round matches are complete, teams will face off against the opposing ranked team from the other pool in the play-offs matches (1st place Pool A vs 1st place Pool B etc).

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Stuart Hogg and Gregor Townsend look ahead to Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations campaign

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Stuart Hogg and Gregor Townsend look ahead to Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations campaign

“Six Nations also confirmed its intention for the U20s championship to take place across June and July in the same format as originally planned, but through a condensed three-week period. 

“This plan will ensure all Six Nations provide the appropriate experience of such tournaments for the 2021 U20 generation. The tournament is expected to start on June 19. Further planning work is required to finalise details on fixtures, venues and kick-off times which will be shared in due course.”

Ben Morel, Six Nations CEO, said: “We are delighted to make this announcement and confirm new plans for our women’s and U20s championships. The promotion and development of rugby at all levels is a key strategic priority for Six Nations. 

“We see huge opportunity for growth in the women’s game in particular and feel it will benefit hugely from having its own specific window and being firmly placed in the limelight. Our priority has always been to deliver two outstanding tournaments but equally ensuring both competitions can be played safely, taking every consideration for player welfare. 

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“A significant challenge we faced in rescheduling the women’s tournament was the limited available window due to World Cup qualifiers, domestic leagues, rest periods and World Cup preparations for qualified teams. Following consultation with our unions and federations as well as other key stakeholders, it was agreed that April would be the best window in which to stage the championship. 

“The U20 Six Nations championship is also a hugely important competition in terms of player development and for those representing their country at this level, it is a major milestone in any career. We look forward to announcing fixture details for the U20s in due course.”

2021 Women’s Six Nations
Pool A:  England, Italy, Scotland
Pool B:  France, Ireland, Wales

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J
JW 20 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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