By Rob Carbon
The United Rugby Championship could be thrown into disarray if the tournament organisers can’t provide guarantees on a safe, secure and speedy passage home for the four teams they now expect to relive their recent traumatic travel experiences to and from South Africa.
The four teams who found themselves stranded in Cape Town, Munster, Cardiff, Scarlets and Zebre, have been told by URC they will be expected to return to South Africa to fulfil the eight missing fixtures.
But Cardiff Rugby’s director of rugby, Dai Young, speaking for the first time since coming out of 16 days of quarantine, said his players “would take some convincing” to make a return trip to play against the Lions and Stormers.
Some of the Welsh regional players spent more than two weeks in isolation in hotels in South Africa and Gatwick before finally getting back to their families last week because of the Omicron variant scare.
The Christmas Derbies are HERE! 🙌🎄
We’ve got 4️⃣ tasty matches on the menu with 4️⃣ still to come!
Which game are you looking forward to the most? 👀 #URC pic.twitter.com/Z9fiBV6C3b
— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 22, 2021
Eight fixtures were lost, leaving the tournament in tatters unless the games can be replayed. The stranded players will finally get back into action on Boxing Day when Cardiff host Scarlets at the Arms Park.
That game will now be behind closed doors following an edict from the Welsh Government to ban fans from sporting events over the festive period.
“We’ll take a bit of convincing to go back to South Africa, to be quite honest. The onus is on the URC, really, to convince us that it’s the right thing to do,” said Cardiff’s director of rugby, Dai Young.
“I know they’ve come out and made a statement that we’re going back there, but first and foremost we’d need guarantees that if something did happen, we’d be able to get out of there.
“The British Government showed their hand, as did the Welsh Government. We were pretty much stranded out there and it was very difficult for us to get out of the country.
“Once is probably bad luck, twice is a bit stupid really, isn’t it. We understand the league but it would be silly for us to put ourselves back in that same predicament of going out there without any guarantees that if the worst happened, we could get home.
“The URC have to find a way of giving us those guarantees. I don’t really see how they can expect us to go out there again when there is a possibility of us getting stuck again.”
The 10 days in isolation added around £80,000 to the bill for Cardiff and Scarlets and now they face further financial penalties by having to play their biggest games of the season behind closed doors. The Scarlets host the Ospreys on New Year’s Day.
🗣 “It’s been a difficult couple of weeks. It would’ve been a great way to get back on the rugby field, playing in front of a full house at the Arms Park. We’d seen how much of an interest there is in this game by it being more or less sold out”
Dai Young reacts to today’s news pic.twitter.com/msmaJPTXMT
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) December 21, 2021
The Welsh Government has set aside £3m to help those sports that will be disadvantaged by the ‘no fans’ ruling. Cardiff and the Scarlets can expect to lose around £150,000 each from their festive fixtures, while Chepstow racecourse will add around £50,000 in losses to that figure for missing out on a bumper 12,000 crowd at the Welsh Grand National on 27 December.
Cardiff City, Swansea city and Newport County will all be affected, as will all the semi-pro and community rugby and football clubs who traditionally bank their richest returns over the Christmas period.
“It’s disappointing we can’t play in front of fans for what is one of the biggest games of the season for us. At this time of year it is always when the club makes the most money,” said Cardiff skipper Josh Turnbull.
“But while it’s disappointing for the players, we realise the health of every player, their families and the fans has to come first.”
A statement from URC said: “The league is greatly encouraged by the decision of the UK government to ease travel restrictions with respect to South Africa and will continue to comply with directions set out by the health authorities and government departments in our various jurisdictions.
“The URC Medical Advisory Group will continue to provide regular guidance and updates to our Clubs regarding best practice and health and safety measures in relation to Covid-19 protocols.
“The dates and kick-off times for R18 will be confirmed next month after consultation with our broadcast partners who have been of a great assistance during this process.”
Schedule from R10 to R17:
R10 – Saturday, January 8
Edinburgh v Cardiff | 15:00 UK / 16:00 ITA / 17:00 SA | BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys | 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA / 19:15 SA | Premier Sports, S4C
Munster v Ulster | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA / 21 :35 SA | RTE, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Dragons | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA / 21 :35 SA | Premier Sports
R8 (SA Derbies) – Saturday, January 22
Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA / 15:00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers | 15:05 UK / 16:05 ITA / 17:05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
R11 – Friday, January 28
Ulster v Scarlets | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Premier Sports
Dragons v Benetton | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC Wales, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Saturday, January 29
Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Connacht v Glasgow Warriors | 14.55 UK / 15.55 ITA / 16.55 SA | RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v DHL Stormers | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | SuperSport, Premier Sports
Zebre Parma Parma v Munster | 17.00 UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | Mediaset, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Ospreys v Edinburgh | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Premier Sports
Cardiff v Leinster | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | S4C, TG4, Premier Sports
R9 (SA Derbies) – Saturday, February 5
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
R12 (SA Derbies) – Saturday, February 12
Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
R12 – Friday, February 18
Munster v Edinburgh | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | TG4, Premier Sports
Cardiff v Zebre Parma | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC Wales, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Saturday, February 19
Leinster v Ospreys | 17.00 UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | RTÉ 2, S4C, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Connacht | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | S4C, TG4, Premier Sports
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Premier Sports, Mediaset
Sunday, February 20
Dragons v Ulster | 14:00 UK / 15:00 ITA / 16:00 SA | Premier Sports
R10 (Rescheduled) – Friday, February 25
Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls | 17:30 UK / 18:30 ITA / 19:30 SA | Mediaset, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Leinster v Emirates Lions | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA / 21 :35 SA | TG4, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Saturday, February 26
Connacht v DHL Stormers | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA / 15:00 SA | RTE, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Benetton v Cell C Sharks | 15:05 UK / 16:05 ITA / 17:05 SA | Mediaset, Super Sport, Premier Sport
R13 – Friday, March 4
Ulster v Cardiff | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC NI, BBC Wales, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Edinburgh v Connacht | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Premier Sports, TG4
Saturday, March 5
Benetton v Leinster | 12.55 UK / 13.55 ITA / 14.55 SA | Mediaset, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Premier Sports
Munster v Dragons | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | TG4, S4C, Premier Sports
Sunday, March 6
Ospreys v Zebre Parma | 14.00 UK / 15.00 ITA / 16.00 SA | S4C, Mediaset, Premier Sports
R6 (Rescheduled) – Weekend of March 11/12/13
DHL Stormers v Zebre Parma | TBC | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Scarlets | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Munster | TBC | Super Sport, TG4, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Cardiff | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports
R7 (Rescheduled) – Weekend of March 18/19/20
Vodacom Bulls v Scarlets | TBC | Super Sport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Zebre Parma | TBC | Super Sport, Italian TV, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Munster | TBC | Super Sport, RTE, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Cardiff | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports
R14 – Friday, March 25
Emirates Lions v Ospreys | 17.00 UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | Super Sport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Munster v Benetton | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | TG4, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Saturday, March 26
Zebre Parma v Scarlets | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Mediaset, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Ulster | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Edinburgh | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Dragons | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports
Connacht v Leinster | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
R15 – Friday, April 1
Cell C Sharks v Dragons | 18.30 UK / 19.30 ITA & SA | Super Sport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | Premier Sports, Mediaset
Saturday, April 2
Benetton v Connacht | 12.00 UK / 13.00 ITA & SA | Mediaset, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Ulster | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | SuperSport, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Edinburgh | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Ospreys | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports
Leinster v Munster | 19.00 UK / 20.00 ITA & SA | TG4, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Cardiff | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | Premier Sports
R13 (SA Derbies) – Saturday, April 9
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sport
Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions | 15 :05 UK / 16 :05 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sport
R16 – Friday, April 22
DHL Stormers v Glasgow Warriors | 17.30 UK / 18.30 ITA & SA | SuperSport, Premier Sport
Ulster v Munster | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | BBC NI, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Edinburgh v Zebre Parma | 19.45 UK / 20.45 ITA & SA | Premier Sports, Mediaset
Saturday, April 23
Vodacom Bulls v Benetton | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | SuperSport, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Connacht | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | SuperSport, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Dragons v Scarlets | 15.00 UK / 16.00 ITA & SA | BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Cardiff v Ospreys | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | S4C, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Leinster | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports
R17 – Friday, April 29
Vodacom Bulls v Glasgow Warriors | 18.00 UK / 19.00 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Munster v Cardiff | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | TG4, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Saturday, April 30
Emirates Lions v Benetton | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Connacht | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | Super Sport, TG4, Premier Sports
Zebre Parma v Dragons | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | Mediaset, S4C, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Leinster | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | Super Sport, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Ospreys v Scarlets | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | Premier Sports
Edinburgh v Ulster | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | Premier Sports
R18 – Weekend of May 20/21/22 (To Be Confirmed in January 2022)
Connacht v Zebre Parma | TBC
Leinster v Edinburgh | TBC
Ulster v Cell C Sharks | TBC
Dragons v Emirates Lions | TBC
Scarlets v DHL Stormers | TBC
Ospreys v Vodacom Bulls | TBC
Glasgow Warriors v Munster | TBC
Benetton v Cardiff | TBC