A summer Six Nations: How it would work — and excite fans

Cardiff in August was a sight to behold. Walking along St Mary’s Street en route to the Millennium Stadium the city was soaked in sunshine and it prompted the blue-sky thinker within to wonder about the concept of a summer Six Nations.

The photos from Ireland’s World Cup warm-up game with Wales that weekend should have made the argument for us, but the meticulous nature of Joe Schmidt meant that on one of the most glorious days of the year in Wales the roof on the Millenium Stadium would remain shut.

Ahead of the game Warran Gatland, the Wales coach, gently teased Schmidt, saying: “Well, it’s a bit ironic that you wanted it open during the Six Nations and now you want it closed.”