England to lift fake trophy inside empty stadium if they win Six Nations
Today at 01:50 PM
England’s players could be involved in a bizarre trophy lift this weekend if they win the Six Nations.
This year’s championship is set to come to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday.
All six teams are in action, with France, England, Ireland and Scotland all still capable of lifting the trophy.
As a result, plans have been put in place for all the possible outcomes across the final three matches.
Leaders France are in pole position with a point more than England, despite both teams and Ireland all winning three of their four matches.
Scotland are five points back on 11 after winning half of their opening four fixtures.
The standings mean that France will be champions with a bonus point win over Scotland at 8pm in Paris.
They will also likely lift the trophy without the bonus point thanks to a superior points difference over England.
As for Steve Borthwick’s side, they need a bonus point victory over Wales at 4.45pm paired with France failing to win.
The two sides meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, where an England win without the bonus point may also be enough.
However, that would need France to fail to win or pick up a try-scoring bonus.
Due to the staggered kick-off times on Saturday, England will not know if they are champions until several hours after their match.
Current plans mean the squad will return to the stadium from their team hotel if it appears likely they will be champions at half-time in Paris.
The trophy will then be presented inside an empty Principality Stadium at around 10pm once the final match of the day ends.
It would be England’s first championship since 2020 and their eighth overall in the Six Nations era.
Meanwhile, if Ireland are able to secure the championship, a different sequence of events is expected.
The defending champions face Italy in Rome in a 2.15pm kick-off.
If they can secure the title then the trophy would be presented at a ceremony in Dublin on Sunday.
The players would receive their medals in Rome on Saturday night, though.
France and Scotland would be presented with the trophy at the Stade de France if either of them are crowned champions.
