RFU fears the tournament won’t end

The Rugby Football Union has expressed “concern” over the completion of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations.

The competition is an important part of preparing teams for the World Cup, which begins in September.

A spokesman for Six Nations said the organizers are “working on a plan to try to hold the championship.”

But Nicki Ponsford, RFU’s women’s performance head, told BBC Sport, “I worry about how we will be able to get through this time.”

The latest coronavirus lockdown in Europe has complicated plans, with England being the only professional team in the tournament, while France are semi-professionals.

Most players in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy are amateurs, causing problems around tries, bubbles and travel.

Ponsford said: “I’m sure England is going to be able to deal with it, but different unions have different challenges.”

In 2020, three Six Nations women’s games were canceled due to coronaviruses.

England – who sealed Consecutive grand slams When they defeated Italy in November, they were the only countries to play all six nations in 2020.

Scotland have played only three of their five matches, while Wales and Ireland have played four.

This year, six-nation matches in Ireland, Scotland and Italy could also double in the World Cup qualifiers, as none of the three teams have earned their place in the Rugby masterpiece. .

Ponsford said that “there were other plans to make the next 10 days a week” to see if “we could overtake the Six Nations or as much as possible”.

Asked if the tournament could go to another window, Ponsford explained that it was decided before Christmas that “leaving him is the right place where he was”.

However, he said that “the world has changed again”.

“It’s getting more and more difficult,” Ponsford continued. “There’s a lot to put into the mix.”