Wales' summer Tests against Japan and New Zealand postponed

The clash against the Brave Blossoms on June 27 and then two encounters against the All Blacks in July have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The summer Test window – England were due in Japan, Scotland were heading to South Africa and New Zealand while Australia were meant to host Ireland – has been scratched.

“Extended travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to numerous countries, and concerns over adequate player preparation time, mean that any sort of cross-border international rugby competition cannot be hosted in July,” read a World Rugby statement.

“Monitoring of the potential impact on the remaining 2020 international windows continues in collaboration with international rugby stakeholders and the respective authorities.

“All parties, including member unions, international competitions, professional club competitions and International Rugby Players, will be involved in the evaluation of potential contingency options with a view to achieving an aligned calendar for the remainder of the year.

“All decision-making will be entirely contingent on national government travel, quarantine and health advice and important player welfare and hosting considerations in line with return-to-rugby guidance recently published by World Rugby.”

Wales boss Wayne Pivac is disappointed that he won't get to continue the development of his side after a first Six Nations at the helm.

“We were very much looking forward to playing both in Japan and New Zealand in the summer so this postponement is disappointing but completely understandable in the circumstances,” said the head coach, who succeeded Warren Gatland.

“Having seen first-hand the welcome the team received at the World Cup in Japan, and the extraordinary scenes at the open training session, I am sure our fantastic relationship with Japanese rugby will go from strength to strength in the future.

“On a personal note I was really looking forward to returning to New Zealand with Wales. It’s unfortunate that we will now have to wait a little longer for that privilege, but the occasion will be no less relished when it arrives.”

It has been suggested that Wales could have a hectic autumn with a rescheduled Six Nations finale against Scotland followed by the rearranged All Blacks Tests.

Pivac’s men are meant to host New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Fiji in November.

If those games do get the green light then they will most likely be played behind closed doors and an alternative venue to Principality Stadium, which is currently a field hospital, may be needed.

A mini-Six Nations has been suggested to fill the gap and boost the coffers if hosting southern hemisphere sides is not possible.