Six Nations to start on time but end date unclear

But how long it takes to complete depends on whether the British and Irish Governments can halt current rises in Covid-19 cases by the second week of next month.

So far, the French Government has only given the thumbs-up for its national team to play in the opening match of the contest, in Rome against Italy, on Saturday, February 6.

England are also due to host Scotland at Twickenham that same day.

If coronavirus cases continue to rise this side of the English Channel, though, it’s possible this year’s tournament could be put on hold, like last year’s.

It started on schedule at the beginning of February but wasn’t wrapped up until the end of October, with Scotland ending up in fourth place behind winners England, runners-up France and third-placed Ireland.

Six Nations chiefs held talks with French government officials this week but were given only a conditional thumbs-up to proceed.

French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu said afterwards: “We keep the first match but, on the other hand, when it comes to Ireland and England, we absolutely need to have the necessary guarantees from those countries.

“There has to be proof that the other nations’ virus framework respects the same requirements in terms of precautions. We expect the same thing from other teams.”

As things stand, after their opener against Eddie Jones’s English side, Scotland are due to host Wales at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, February 13; Ireland on Monday, March 14; and Italy on Sunday, March 20; and to play away to France on Sunday, February 28.

The Scots, managed by Gregor Townsend and captained by Stuart Hogg, beat Wales, Italy and France last time round but lost to England and Ireland.