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Extra.ie
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Six Nations organisers need to tread carefully after latest fixture announcement
If you haven't managed to watch Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 on Netflix, you should add it to your watchlist soon. It's a harrowing, fascinating and thought-provoking watch. The three-part documentary chronicles the ill-fated revival of the 1969 peace-and-love festival. From staging the event at a decommissioned airbase, which was surrounded by an eight-mile perimeter fence with minimal shelter in sweltering conditions, outsourcing crucial infrastructure – such as food and drink vendors – to profit-hungry vendors to booking a host of nu-metal acts which whipped the charged crowds into a frenzy, it all coalesced into a perfect storm of mayhem as the 250,000 people in attendance became increasingly agitated. James Lowe of Ireland is tackled by Tommaso Allan, left, and Ange Capuozzo of Italy during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile Suffice to say, the follow-up was doomed from the start. The scene was apocalyptic by the Sunday night as revellers began to tear the festival apart. Soon, riot police were on the scene. There is no shortage of finger-pointing in the documentary and there are many strands to why Woodstock 2.0 descended into anarchy. It does serve as a warning from history, however. It's a good example of big companies not appreciating their customers. The organisers of the Woodstock revival freely admitted that their sole objective was to make as much money as they could. DUBLIN, IRELAND: MARCH 8: Tadhg Beirne #5 of Ireland wins a line out during the Ireland V France, Six Nations rugby union match at Aviva Stadium on March 8th, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) Too often, consumers attend live events and feel like they are being shaken down from the moment they pass through a turnstile. Everyone has their limits and supporters will eventually vote with their feet or, in the case of Woodstock 1999, react in a more febrile manner. Which brings us to the recent Six Nations fixtures announcement. Once again, it felt like travelling fans were being short-changed, especially when tournament organisers confirmed Ireland's 2026 championship opener in France would take place on a Thursday evening, an unprecedented move in the Six Nations. Naturally and understandably, it has put a lot of noses out of joint. Friday night and Sunday afternoon fixtures don't make life any easier for travelling fans either. France's Oscar Jegou celebrates scoring their side's fourth try of the game during the Guinness Men's Six Nations match the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Pic: PA Why have the Six Nations power brokers made this unpopular move? To satisfy the big TV broadcasters of course. That's a prized revenue stream. Especially in the current climate with the professional game struggling globally. But the fans shouldn't be taken for granted either. Anyone who has ever attended a Six Nations away game has experienced the buzz, giddiness and excitement as you stroll to Murrayfield, Principality Stadium, Stade de France and Stadio Olimpico. The sight of opposing fans mixing and enjoying each other's company is a special tradition in the tournament. Dan Sheehan of Ireland is tackled by Italy players, from left, Sebastian Negri, Tommaso Menoncello and Gianmarco Lucchesi during the Six Nations match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Pic: Rmsey Cardy/Sportsfile Indeed, it wasn't that long ago when Six Nations games were taking place in empty, soulless arenas in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. A grim setting which merely reinforced the importance of fans to the whole matchday experience. Yet it feels like they are being short-changed, again. Event organisers shouldn't take them for granted. There's some grim warnings from history on that front.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales suffer 14th straight defeat in Six Nations loss to Italy
Italy sent slumping Wales further into crisis on Saturday, triumphing 22-15 in front of delighted fans in Rome. Italy showed very little of the handling errors and poor decisions which have often plagued their Six Nations performances. Italy sent Wales spiralling deeper into crisis on Saturday after triumphing 22-15 in the Six Nations and handing their sorry opponents a record-extending 14th consecutive Test defeat in front of delighted fans in Rome. Ange Capuozzo scored the hosts' only try at a soaking Stadio Olimpico with Tommaso Allan's quality kicking also condemning Wales to a defeat which could be key to deciding the destination of the wooden spoon. Wales have lost all eight of their Six Nations fixtures since winning in the Italian capital two years ago and slump to 12th in the World Rugby rankings, below Georgia. It is the lowest Wales have ever been in those standings and Warren Gatland's team will be wondering from where the next win is going to come with two-time champion Ireland up next in Cardiff later this month. "I'm gutted with the result. We've worked hard all week and things just didn't go our way," Wales captain Jac Morgan told S4C. "Discipline let us down. We gave them opportunities to kick points and that built the score board to be too high at the end." "After so many close defeats to win here in Rome in front of my son is incredible," Allan told Sky Italia. (AFP) Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:France crush sorry Wales as Dupont marks Six Nations return in styleSix Nations preview: Who can stop Ireland winning three titles in a row?
Reuters
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Italy beat Wales in Six Nations to plunge visitors into further crisis
ROME, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Italy dominated proceedings but almost let Wales back into the game before closing out a 22-15 victory in the Six Nations Championship on Saturday and condemning their visitors to their lowest ever place in the world rankings. A try from Ange Capuozzo and 17 points off the boot of Tommaso Allan ensured a comfortable lead at a rainy Stadio Olimpico before Wales staged a late comeback with a score from Aaron Wainwright and then a penalty try as two yellow cards in the last minutes saw the Italians reduced to 13 men. But it was too little, too late for the Welsh, who were triple crown champions only four years ago but have now dropped to 12th place, below Georgia for the first time, in World Rugby's rankings. The future of veteran coach Warren Gatland is now in serious question, with Wales extending their record losing run to 14 successive games.
