The Guinness Six Nations was launched virtually yesterday, with all six captains and coaches attending from home.
The tournament gets underway the weekend after next with plans locked down for each of the first three games including Ireland travelling to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Confirmation has yet to be received from the French government granting permission for the French team to travel to Dublin for their second-round match in Dublin on February 14th.
The fact that Ireland and France are both in the EU makes it more likely that permission will be granted for the national team to be granted exemption from the ban imposed on clubs that prompted the cancellation of the third and fourth rounds of the Heineken Cup.
It is not yet a given though and negotiation is still continuing through the French Rugby Union over the effectiveness of the protocols that have been put in place to protect t players, backroom teams, officials and everyone else involved in the staging of the games.
The main concern that the French had was in the UK’s seemingly more lax testing on a Monday before weekend games, a longer window that was blamed at least in part for an outbreak in Bayonne after that team travelled to England in December.
“We are in constant dialogue through the FFR,” said Six Nations CEO Ben Morel.
“We have provided all our protocols, we have been extremely robust and we are seeking some of the clarification on the specific rules about quarantine exemptions, and that is what we are expecting further clarification on.”
With the Championship being held behind closed doors this year, Title Sponsor Guinness is bringing fans closer to the action, by “bringing the essence and atmosphere of the Championship home.”
Fans will be given the chance to win money-can’t-buy prizes throughout the Championship. Each week, fans will be called upon to share pictures of their best Guinness pour on social media, using the hashtag #PreGamePour.
Fans will have the chance to win the ultimate at-home viewing experience bundle, complete with projector, Guinness mini-fridge and merchandise, along with other prizes.
We will dive deeper with each of the Six Nations sponsors during the build-up to the tournament next week to see how each is planning to activate.
“This year’s Guinness Six Nations will be a unique experience, with fans enjoying the Championship from their homes,” said Mark Sandys, Global Head of Beer at Diageo.
“It will also mark our third year as Title Partner, and we are inviting fans from around the world to make this 2021 Championship your Championship by bringing the atmosphere and passion of the games into their home.”
Sport for Business Partners
