Saint-Andre wants to play next weekend

Rugby:France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre is hoping the postponed clash against Ireland will be refixed for next weekend to avoid having to play four matches in a row to finish the Six Nations campaign.

Six Nations Rugby has yet to name a new date and may hold off the decision until Monday, which would militate against a game taking place either next Saturday or Sunday in Paris due to the logistical issues involved for Ireland.

Another huge factor is that the Top 14 clash between Stade Francais and Toulon, which is expected to draw a near-capacity crowd to the Stade de France, is scheduled to take place at the ground next Saturday afternoon.

The other option is the weekend of March 3rd-4th, which would leave both sides having to play four straight weeks.

Confusion reigned at the Stade de France last night when the game was called off just 10 minutes before kick-off, and the decision was greeted with a chorus of boos when it was announced 20 minutes later to a full and disbelieving crowd, that included around 8,000 Irish supporters.

English referee Dave Pearson made his decision after deeming sections of the pitch to be unplayable following days of sub-zero temperatures in Paris.

The surface passed an inspection at 4pm and 7.30pm time last night, but Pearson felt the conditions then deteriorated sufficiently enough to postpone the game.

“You have to respect the referee’s decision. He is in charge of the players’ security and there were two or three places on the pitch that were dangerous,” said Saint-André.

“He was afraid they would get even harder. The referee consulted with us but we had read the rules and we knew that only he could make the decision.

“We would have preferred to have played. Without wanting to be selfish, we had an extra day’s rest compared to the Irish.

“I know the French Federation and the Stade de France did everything they could for the match to go ahead.

“The players are very disappointed. I can assure you that the changing room was boiling over.

“We would prefer to play next weekend because if it’s in three weeks, we would have to play four matches in quick succession.

“For the players, their intensity and also thinking of their family life, for them to spend time with their wives and children.”

The finger-pointing started soon after, with the French Rugby Federation highlighting Pearson’s role while Six Nations stressed it was the official’s decision alone.

A shambolic situation was made worse when a Six Nations official refused to answer questions on what had occurred beyond reading a statement at a hastily-convened press conference.

“The match was cancelled following the advice of the referee Mr Pearson. He inspected it yesterday and all was fine,” read the statement.

“He inspected again today at 7pm and it was still fine but when he inspected it just a few minutes before kick-off, he found the pitch was frozen in a few areas.

“He ruled that it was dangerous and this is why it was postponed. It is very important to let fans know to keep their tickets and they will be valid for the game when we have a new date.

“The rule is the game will be played in a weekend when no games are planned, so either next weekend or in three weekends’ time.”

Pearson was absent from the press conference and FFR president Pierre Camou left little doubt over who he felt was responsible for the chaotic scenes.

“It’s very sad. I don’t understand why the referee has not shown up,” said Camou.

“I am worried that two hours before kick-off everything seemed fine. I’m thinking of all the fans who have come from afar.

“We always take responsibility for the pitches but we are not responsible for the decision to call it off. I’m not sure the argument of safety is suddenly a good one at 8pm.

“Today a Six Nations game in Italy was played in the snow and the referee was French.”

However, former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan exonerated Pearson, claiming he was left with no alternative but to call the game off.

Instead, O’Sullivan felt the FFR were to blame for an episode that “beggars belief”.

“Obviously you can’t blame the referee, he made the decision based on what he thought was best for all concerned. He had to protect the players,” he said.

“To consider there were 80,000 people at the stadium and millions of people watching at home and at the final moment the game was postponed, it beggars belief.

“If Dave Pearson had put the players on that surface and a player had got badly hurt, he would have to take the blame for that. He did what was right.

“There were no curve balls here. We’ve known for the last few days where we were, yet we reached this stage at the last minute.

“Ultimately it’s down to the French Federation for managing this situation. Then it was left to referee to make the hard decision.

“It’s hard to believe that the French Federation couldn’t predict this outcome given the bad weather here hasn’t changed in the last 72 hours.”