Interruption to scheduled programme

THERE WERE many delicious ironies to Saturday’s game at Twickenham. Chief among them the presumptuous Grand Slam final scheduled for 9pm in Paris on March 27 is now a non-runner.

It seems the BBC decided on the kick-off time without consulting the Six Nations Championship committee of their plans. When they were eventually informed, there was nothing they could do about it.

You're taking our money, said the Beeb, now we want value for it. Somebody told them only two teams counted in the championship and that was good enough for them. It will be France v England in the last match on the last day and we'll put it on as late as possible so that we can sell the rights for 'live' transmission to the Southern Hemisphere as well. Nice and cosy, until a bunch of Irish players kiboshed the whole deal.