The 2021 thread to discuss all things rugby related such as matches, players, debates and news anything to with the world of rugby and of both codes, union and league.

Wakefield Trinity have fined the "small minority" of their players who broke West Yorkshire's tier 3 coronavirus restrictions on New Year's Eve.

 

The Super League club investigated the incident, with the players involved apologising for their actions.

 

They have also been given written warnings, with their fines being donated to Wakefield Hospice.

The final two rounds of European pool matches that were postponed earlier this week will not be rearranged, Premiership Rugby has confirmed.

 

The games were set to take place over the next two weekends but instead the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will go straight to a knockout format in April.

 

European Cup organisers (EPCR) are set to announce the revamped structure of the competitions in the coming week.

 

"The decision was made by the EPCR executive," said Darren Childs.

 

Premiership Rugby's chief executive added: "The reason we can't reschedule those is that there are no available weekends. Our season is now full right until our final.

Looks like Super League will be starting two weeks later than planned on 25th March in the hope that they can get fans in. I don't think it will happen to be honest.

I notice the Six Nations contract is due to expire this year. Will the contract continue with the BBC and ITV sharing games, but maybe some swaps in which games are covered( such as the BBC being allowed inside Twickenham again) , or will Sky make a bid that the BBC and ITV cannot match? Also is it possible Channel 4 could enter the fray?

"Sky are expected to bid for some of the Six Nations packages when the auction for the 2022 to 2024 tournament cycle takes place later this year, but as it stands the only live rugby rights they own are for this summer’s British Lions tour, which is shrouded in uncertainty due to the Covid-19 situation in South Africa."

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunio...ip-matches.html

Scotland ahead after a penalty.

Scotland get a try from Van Der Mewne to make it 8-0 to Scotland against England.

Owen Farrell makes it 8-3 from a penalty for England.

Try for Wales from Rees-Zammit to make it 18-13 to them against Ireland.

Now 21-13 to Wales after a Leigh Halfpenny penalty.

Burns scores from a penalty to make it 21-16.

Zander Ferguson sent off for Scotland at a crucial point of the match.

Wales take the lead after a Wyn Jones try.

Stuart Hogg scores his second try of the match for Scotland to retake the lead for them now it is 24-20 to Scotland.

Rees-Zammit scores his second try of the game to make it 25-24 to Wales. This is a good game.

Dan Carter has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Scotland's Six Nations match in Paris on Sunday has been thrown into further doubt after five more France players tested positive for coronavirus.

 

Captain Charles Ollivon will miss the game after contracting the virus, along with the nine other France players who have tested positive so far.

 

Les Bleus are top of the Six Nations table after winning their opening games against Italy and Ireland.

 

A decision on whether the match can be played will be made on Wednesday.

France v Scotland is postponed.

Recalled Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Skinner says the postponed Six Nations match with France should be played rather than awarding Scotland points.

 

Glasgow Warriors full-back Rufus McLean has been called up for the first time, with Edinburgh number eight Nick Haining also recalled to face Ireland.

 

But the France game is poised to be played later after a Covid-19 outbreak forced that match to be postponed.

 

"As players, we want the game to go ahead," Skinner said.