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Could Six Nations be cancelled? What happens if France can’t play and which rugby fixtures are they playing?

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THE Six Nations is set to get underway at the beginning of February as England defend their title less than four months after winning it.

A 34-5 win over Italy in Rome was enough for the Red Rose to lift the trophy after Ireland were beaten by France in Paris.

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France have confirmed they will play in Italy but their other Six Nations games are up in the air[/caption]

But this year’s tournament could be under threat amid fears that France may not turn up at all.

What have France said about the Six Nations?

The French government has concerns over coronavirus in the UK after the new mutant strain caused cases to soar earlier this month.

And the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup has been suspended after French clubs were advised not to play cross-border matches.

However, it has been confirmed that France will play their first match away to Italy on February 6.

But additional guarantees are sought for the away games against Ireland and England.

Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said: “We keep the first match.

“On the other hand, against Ireland and England we absolutely need to have the necessary guarantees from these countries.

“There has to be proof that the other nations’ virus framework respects the same requirements in terms of precaution.

“We expect the same thing from the other teams.”

Could the Six Nations be cancelled?

According to Sky Sports, it is highly unlikely that the tournament will go ahead without France participating.

However, the Guardian claim that none of the rugby associations involved can afford for the tournament not to go ahead.

That would open the door to moving the Six Nations to a later date, as had to be done with the 2020 competition, which was finished in October.

If France are unable to participate now then a summer tournament has been mooted, but that would depend on the Lions Tour in South Africa being cancelled.

The popular tour is under threat as a result of the mutant Covid strain which has emerged in South Africa and a timely decision is set to be made on whether it can go ahead.

But even if the Lions Tour is cancelled, a summer Six Nations would still have to be approved by the broadcasters and French clubs may object as their season is scheduled to start in August.

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