Paris (AFP)

The "exceptional" enlargement of the international autumnal rugby window, with six matches scheduled, does not aim to "create a precedent" but to respond to sporting and economic needs, the Tournament general manager told AFP on Tuesday of the Six Nations Benjamin Morel.

Q: What are the benefits of extending the international fall window allowed by World Rugby?

A: "The goal is that the international matches that could not take place can be played in both hemispheres. Each of the Six Nations will therefore play six matches. This extension is exceptional. We will return to normal for 2021. hoping that the calendar will not be impacted (by the Covid-19 pandemic). There are sporting and economic necessities so that each of the federations can host the three matches usually scheduled for the fall, with ticket revenue, sponsorship and broadcasting rights. Since the nations cannot all travel, we have found a united solution with the Six Nations, through the Autumn Nations Cup. It is absolutely not a question of setting a precedent for a future change of international calendar. These are two completely different subjects ".

Q: But the ticketing targets cannot be achieved ...

A: "Obviously, when we see the evolution of the various gauges in the stadiums, the ticketing revenues are not there. This makes it even more necessary to hold these matches with the broadcasting and sponsorship revenues, which are crucial in these difficult times ".

Q: In France, the National League (LNR) and the Federation (FFR) disagree on the number of matches to be played by the XV of France.

What do you think?

A: "Each Six Nations team will play six matches, so this is not a special case. France will enter this international window by playing against Wales, which is a preparation match for the decisive match against France. Ireland for the attribution of the victory in the Tournament of the six nations. The sporting character is not to be neglected if one wants to guarantee the fairness of the last day of the Tournament (October 31). There is France-Ireland but also Italy v England and Wales v Scotland. Ireland and Italy will have had the advantage of playing a first match on October 24. The other four nations felt the need to have a warm-up match before a match if capital".

Q: Would it be catastrophic for the image of French rugby if the coach had to field an encore team against the Welsh?

A: “Hints have already been explored as to how many matches each player could play in this window, rather than coming to extremes. I hope this conflict can be resolved in a reasonable way. an exceptional time for everyone and if we could possibly focus on more productive things and work hand in hand on how to bring spectators back to the stadiums in perfect safety, whether in France, England or Scotland for example, it would be essential, rather than entering into sterile debates which do not help anyone in the end ".

Q: Is the 2021 edition of the Tournament likely to be postponed?

A: “There has been no formal discussion on this. Now, like any business that is impacted by the non-attendance of spectators and with the importance of ticket revenues that match for the funding of rugby, these are things to watch. And on the other hand, the most important thing for us is to work with the public authorities in all the nations to find adequate means for the spectators to return to the stadiums in full control of the sanitary restrictions ".

Interview by Ludovic LUPPINO

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