Feature

Wales’ request to close Principality Stadium’s roof for Six Nations rejected

The Welsh Rugby Union has seen its request to make Cardiff’s Principality Stadium a closed-roof venue for the upcoming Six Nations rejected by tournament officials.

Wales had asked for the roof of the 74,500-capacity venue, formerly known as the Millennium Stadium, to be closed for the games against England on February 11 and Ireland on March 10, regardless of weather conditions.

Wales’ interim head coach, Rob Howley, had claimed that a closed-roof venue would create better playing conditions and allow teams to take advantage of a new bonus-point system being trialled during this year’s tournament, which rewards high-scoring performances even in defeat.

However the request has been rejected and a decision on the roof closure will be decided upon on a match-by-match basis as normal. Current rules dictate that the roof may only be closed if both teams agree beforehand.

The Principality Stadium is the only venue in the competition with a retractable roof.

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