Of course the postponement of Ireland's match against Wales in Cardiff tomorrow is disappointing for the players and for the thousands who were due to travel. But in all the circumstances, and however serious the disruption to the Six Nations Championship, postponement of the fixture was the correct and responsible decision to take.
Inevitably there has been reference to occasions in the past when internationals were postponed or cancelled. Through the years and bearing in mind the championship has been ongoing since 1883, we have had relatively few disruptions apart from those caused by two world wars. Later, of course, in 1972 the championship was not completed when Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Dublin.
Most of the disruptions have been caused by weather rather than health hazards to humans or animals. In 1967, however, because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain, the international between New Zealand and Ireland scheduled for December 16th was cancelled as was a scheduled match in Belfast on December 13th between the Combined Provinces and the All Blacks. Ireland thus lost the chance to play against - and the Irish public the chance to watch - one of the best touring teams I have ever seen.
When in 1962, the match between Ireland and Wales scheduled for Lansdowne Road on March 9th was postponed until November 16th after an outbreak of small pox in Wales, that was the only occasion the championship went into a following season. So there is a precedent for the championship being over two seasons. Could we see it again now?
Now that the game in Cardiff has been postponed, with Ireland having won the initial two matches in the championship, it will evoke memories of what happened on the last two occasions Ireland won the Triple Crown and Championship in 1982 and 1985. By a remarkable co-incidence the championship schedule in both seasons was disrupted by the weather. It was to prove a happy disposition of circumstances for Ireland especially in 1985. So the current Ireland side will hope that history will repeat itself this season.
In 1982, Ireland had been due to play Wales in Dublin on February 16th but the match was postponed for a week. Ireland won it 20-12 and went on to beat England and Scotland to win the Triple Crown and championship despite losing to France in the final match.
The disruptions in 1985 were of much greater consequence and were such that Ireland ended the championship by playing against England at Lansdowne Road on March 30th having been scheduled to play in the first match of the series on January 19th, a postponement of 10 weeks.
The England team had travelled to Dublin for the match in January, but on the Thursday before the game a very heavy fall of snow left Dublin inches deep and the match was postponed. Not only the pitch was a concern but also safety on the terraces because of ice. In the circumstances there was no alternative but to postpone the fixture. Ironically, on the Saturday the sun came out and the snow had cleared.
THE same afternoon the match between France and Wales, due to take place in Paris, was also postponed. That too was deferred to March 30th. Another match that fell victim to the weather that season was the Wales-England game due to take place on February 16th in Cardiff. It was subsequently played on April 20th. It all proved to be fortuitous for Ireland, who beat Scotland in Murrayfield, drew with France in Dublin and beat Wales in Cardiff on March 16th, the date the championship had originally been due to finish.
When Ireland met England at Lansdowne Road on March 30th, the championship and Triple Crown were at stake for both countries. By the time England played Wales on April 20th, their hopes had been well and truly buried. Ireland beat England in dramatic fashion when Michael Kiernan dropped a goal in the last minute for a 13-10 victory. The position right now is complicated and unpredictable about the remaining fixtures in this season's championship. Of course, Ireland could face into their last two matches in the series away if the game against England goes ahead on March 24th. But Ireland will go into that with a 100 per cent record and that represents a considerable incentive against the country rated odds on to do the Grand Slam.
In 1933, the Ireland-Scotland match due in Dublin was also postponed because of the weather. So, too, the England-Ireland match at Twickenham in 1952 because of the death of King George VI of England.
Whatever the future holds this season, none of the teams will experience what the Scots and Irish had to endure on February 21st 1885 - the first championship match that fell victim to the weather. The teams lined out at Ormeau, the game started but so atrocious did conditions become that it had to be abandoned after 30 minutes.
The players trooped into the dressingrooms, soaked, freezing and exhausted. It was agreed to play the match again a fortnight later in Edinburgh. But the players were told that, although they had represented their countries, they would not get caps for the match in Ormeau.
Now can you imagine what would happen were a similar decision made today if a match started and had to be abandoned? Apart from the caps there would be the appearance money. In the end justice was done to the men of 1885 and caps were awarded but it took a mighty long time and the players had all died before that decision was taken. Now you can get a cap by making an appearance for 30 seconds. Changed times and some at least for the better.
