Remaining Women's Six Nations fixtures cancelled, World Cup qualifiers postponed

Six Nations Rugby have cancelled the remaining three matches of the 2020 Women’s Six Nations Championship after recent government and health authority restrictions affected squad preparations and travel amid an inability to stage matches due to the sport’s amateur status 

With the restrictions making the successful completion of the 2020 Championship impossible, the three cancelled matches were Italy vs Scotland, Wales vs Scotland and France vs Ireland.

Ben Morel, Six Nations CEO, said: "This was an extremely tough decision that was only taken after we had explored every possible option to get these matches played. 

"It's especially disappointing that these cancellations come at a time when there is such positive momentum around the women's game and for the Women's Six Nations in particular. We will now put our focus and energy toward the 2021 Championship."

The table for the 2020 Championship will remain as it stands with England already crowned Grand Slam winners having played and won all five of their matches, finishing with victory over Italy on November 1.

The cancellation of the three matches was in keeping with the general difficulties in keeping the sport going in the current climate. In addition, World Rugby and Rugby Europe have postponed the 2021 World Cup European qualification tournament that was scheduled to take place on December 5, 12 and 19.

The tournament was due to feature Ireland, Italy and Scotland and the winner of the postponed Rugby Europe Women’s Championship. It will be rescheduled for early next year ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand. The qualifying tournament winner will proceed directly into the World Cup while the runner-up will progress to the final qualification tournament.

Despite the disappointment for the other teams, England topped a successful campaign with Emily Scarratt crowned women’s player of the championship, becoming the first player of the championship in the history of the Women’s Six Nations.