Paris farce set to hit provinces’ schedule

The ripple effects of Ireland’s postponed date in Paris will spread beyond the national team and supporters with Leinster, Munster and Ulster’s preparations for the Heineken Cup likely to be altered as a result of the Stade de France debacle.

Six Nations officials confirmed yesterday the Ireland-France game will not take place this weekend. That leaves the first weekend in March as the most likely slot and a run of four games in as many weeks for Declan Kidney’s players.

Should that be the case, Joe Schmidt, Tony McGahan and Brian McLaughlin will be forced into tweaking their rosters for the two rounds of Pro12 games in between the last Six Nations date with England and the European quarter-finals.