Paris (AFP)

High dose of rugby in November-December: after the Tournament, place for the Autumn Nations Cup, a new eight-team competition launched to try to counter the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, which begins on Friday (8:00 p.m.) with an Ireland-Wales duel.

The other three matches of the first day are against Italy against Scotland in Florence, England against Georgia in London on Saturday and France against Fiji in Vannes (north-west) on Sunday.

In a world without coronavirus, the selections of the Northern Hemisphere play fewer matches in principle in the fall but the cancellation of the summer tours has prompted the nations concerned to imagine a replacement tournament.

Goals?

Not only allow teams to tread the lawns but also federations, hard hit financially by the pandemic, to replenish the coffers.

They will have to be content with income related to TV rights since the second wave of Covid-19 forced the organizers to schedule all the meetings behind closed doors.

Originally, Japan, host of the 2019 World Cup, was to participate but the leaders of the "Brave Blossoms" have canceled everything for 2020 due to the health context.

So Georgia is accompanying Fiji to the Six Nations table.

With a huge entry challenge for the "Lelos" who want to grow: the XV de la Rose, just winner of the Tournament.

"If at the end of the competition our team is better than before, it will mean that this Autumn Nations Cup is a success for us", commented Georgian captain Merab Sharikadze, not used to rubbing shoulders with European gratin .

The Caucasian selection has been participating in the World Cup since 2003 but has never passed the first round.

Fourth in its group in the last edition (1 victory, 3 defeats), it had suffered in particular against the Fijians (45-10) and Wales (43-14), placed in its group for this new competition.

The other pool is therefore made up of Fiji, Italy, Scotland and France, which came close to a first victory in the Tournament since the Grand Slam achieved in 2010. The difference with England, tied on points, was based on the general points difference.

- Ireland and Wales to bounce back -

In full revival, the XV of France nourishes solid ambitions for the Autumn Nations Cup.

But his coach Fabien Galthié will have to do without his typical team after the duel against Fiji in Brittany.

The French clubs have agreed to release their internationals for a maximum of three match sheets and the Blues have already played two: against the Welsh (38-21), in preparation, then against Ireland (35-27) as part of the Tournament.

French winger Vincent Rattez therefore wants to beat the Fijians, whose preparation was disrupted by coronavirus contaminations, to put the French who will take over "in the best possible conditions".

"We want to win a trophy" so "we will play it hard," added second row Romain Taofifenua.

The inaugural match in Dublin on Friday will be an opportunity to bounce back for the XV of Clover and that of Leek.

By falling in France, the Irish missed the final victory in the Tournament which stretched out their arms to them.

As for the partners of Alun Wyn Jones, title holders, they only finished penultimate place, after being surprised at home by Scotland (14-10), in great progress .

The XV du Chardon intends to confirm them against Italy, subscribed to the last place in the Tournament, but will have to do without the openers Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, forfeits due to injury for the entire competition.

Duncan Weir will debut at the opening in Florence.

After three days of the group stage, the Autumn Cup will end on the weekend of December 5 and 6 with classification matches.

© 2020 AFP