We talked about it for months, waiting in vain for its formalization.
It's done.
The Six Nations Committee finally formalized on Thursday the creation of the competition which will replace the November tour, following the renouncements of the nations of the southern hemisphere.
This new tournament, dubbed the “Autumn Nations Cup”, will be played from November 13 to December 6 and will pit eight teams against each other.
Those of the Six Nations Tournament, plus Fiji and Georgia.
The Lelos of the Caucasus were not initially planned in the program, but the withdrawal of Japan then South Africa luer was worth an invitation.
Hello!
We're delighted to announce the Autumn Nations Cup!
This brand new tournament will give fans 16 top class internationals to enjoy over four action packed weekends in November and December!
Fixtures pic.twitter.com/D7VHd630am
- Autumn Nations Cup (@autumnnations) September 10, 2020
In the group stage, France will face Scotland, Italy and Fiji (a priori a selection with only players playing in Europe, Covid 19 requires).
Georgia, it is poured in pool A along with England, Ireland and Wales and Georgia.
For, in total, 16 international matches spread over four weekends: three group days and classification "finals", the 1st of Pool A against the 1st of Pool B, the 2nd against the 2nd etc ...
Two home matches for the Blues, but in which stadium?
The Autumn Nations Cup kicks off on Friday 13 November with Wales traveling to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
France will face Fiji on Sunday 15th, but the time and the stadium (Saint-Etienne? ...) are not yet determined.
On Sunday November 22, the Blues will go to Edinburgh to challenge Scotland (4 p.m., Murrayfield) and, finally, will host Italy on Saturday November 28 at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France.
The classification matches will be played on Saturday 5 December and the “big” final on Sunday 6. The only certainty, France will not host its match: Murrayfield, Aviva Stadium, Twickenham and another stadium to be chosen in England having been designated.
!
The @SixNations_FR Committee has just announced the #XVdeFrance meetings for this fall!
Warm-up, end of # SixNations2020 and @autumnnations will be on the program of the Blues!
#NeFaisonsXV
More info https://t.co/D8DKboRHSGpic.twitter.com/OSFDJB19n9
- France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 10, 2020
Six tests on the program when the League accepts only five ...
As a reminder, the XV of France is supposed to play at the Stade de France a friendly match against Wales on October 24 (9 p.m.) before completing its 2020 Six Nations Tournament there on October 31 (9 p.m.).
If the weekend of November 7 is off international meetings, the final program shows six tests in seven weeks.
An official calendar that will relaunch the war between the FFR and the League, the presidents of the Top 14 having only given their agreement for five tests ...
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