IRFU await news from committee

The IRFU and to a lesser degree perhaps the English RFU await with bated breath for some definitive guidance from the Six Nations Committee after they hold their near weekly telephone conference tomorrow.

In the meantime, all options are being kept open though the proposed two or three-match warm-up tour to South Africa (scheduled for departure next week) has been called off.

Amid an increasing acceptance that the worsening foot-and-mouth epidemic in Britain will scupper any hopes of Ireland's rearranged games against Wales, England and Scotland on April 29th, May 5th and May 12th taking place as the Six Nations had decreed, the option of re-arranging the Ireland-England to a neutral venue is being explored more avidly, with the Stade de France in Paris now the accepted alternative.

"We have to explore every avenue as much as we possibly can in a bid to reduce the backlog," admitted the IRFU chief executive Philip Browne yesterday, mindful that otherwise Ireland could be forced to play six internationals early next season, bearing in mind the scheduled November friendlies against Western Samoa, the All Blacks and Canada.

This in turn would undermine much of next season's itinerary, not least the participation of the Irish provinces in the proposed Celtic League.

Nevertheless, Browne and other IRFU officials painstakingly listed the many logistical difficulties in moving the England game to Paris, aside from the almost certain loss of revenue that would ensue.

"We're hoping for more information (from the Six Nations Committee) to clarify the situation, but we are in a planning vacuum.

"Broadcasters, sponsors, the respective unions and a host of other factors would have to come into the equation, whether the games are played this season or next season.

"There are so many variables out there, it's difficult in the extreme to plan our way out of this situation," added Browne, besides which there would be an understandable reluctance to sacrifice home advantage.

Nor is it remotely likely that all three back matches could be switched to neutral venues before the end of the season, even if the Welsh and Scottish Unions were so inclined, which they are not.

As an aside, given the Irish government's insistence on a 30-day window after the last confirmed case of foot-and-mouth in Britain, the re-arranged Welsh game of April 29th would thus be effectively scuppered as of Thursday next week. In which case, why make an exception for the England game?

Logistically, bringing the England game forward to Paris on April 29th has been discussed, though the shortened time-span would make that even more difficult.

The English union's and clubs' objections to the proposed May 5th date, as it clashes with their Premiership play-offs, would also apply to April 29th or May 12th, while the European Cup final pencilled in for May 19th is cast in stone.

The proposed tour of South Africa is a non-runner.

"Given the uncertainty surrounding international fixtures caused by foot and mouth disease precautions, it is not practicable at this stage to implement the option of a short tour to South Africa for Ireland's senior squad," the statement read.

The union statement did confirm that the Irish squad would have a three-day session in Belfast on April 2nd-4th inclusive, following which the Irish management will select a Rest of Ireland team to play Munster at Thomond Park on Friday, April 13th.

This will facilitate Munster's preparations for the European Cup semi-final against Stade Francais in Lille on April 21st. The Rest of Ireland selection will be managed by Harry Williams, and coached jointly by Matt Williams and Steph Nel.

Were Munster to win that semi-final, then the competition rules would have them hosting a final against Leicester or Gloucester in Lansdowne Road on May 19th, but again, given the epidemic, there seems little chance of that going ahead as planned, at least not this season.

In those circumstances the ERC would push for a neutral venue on the continent, which in turn would require approval from the Department of Agriculture here, so obliging Munster to sacrifice "home" advantage at Lansdowne Road on May 19th.

Meanwhile, Wales and Lions centre Allan Bateman will leave English Premiership club Northampton at the end of this season after signing a two-year contract with his former club Neath, it was confirmed yesterday.

The 36-year-old has agreed terms for a return to the Welsh domestic game, where he first made his name.

Danny Grewcock is refusing to let a broken jaw get in the way of his England and Lions preparations. The lock sustained the injury in Saracens' 24-13 victory over Bristol on Sunday.

Grewcock is concerned only with getting himself fighting fit. "I won't be able to take contact for six weeks but with all the delays I might not miss all the England matches," he said.