Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has hit out at the Six Nations organisers for their scant disregard for the shallow pockets of everyone in Ireland following the rescheduling of last weekend’s postponed clash with France.
The game – for which a September date was mentioned at one stage, owing to the zanily disproportionate power of the French clubs – will now take place back in Paris on Sunday 4 March.
The 4pm local time Sunday afternoon kick-off impinges on both travel arrangements and post-match refreshments for travelling Irish supporters, with those fortunate enough to have jobs facing the prospect of annoying their boss by applying for a Monday off work at a time when everyone has to work 14-hour days, six days a week to get the country off its knees.
And Kidney feels the scheduling is another fist driven to the collective solar plexus of Irish rugby fans, following hot on the heels of the postponement of the original fixture minutes before kick-off at the Stade de France.
He said, “The management and team will get on with it, that’s our job and we’ll prepare in the best way possible, but I’m really disappointed for the supporters. They’ve been unfairly treated.
“I’m not sure how they’ll manage. It’s really awkward and will be extremely difficult for them. Can they afford to go again for the whole weekend? I doubt it, not in these times.”
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