{"id":62662,"date":"2022-02-18T11:18:17","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T11:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=62662"},"modified":"2022-02-18T11:30:37","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T11:30:37","slug":"cardiff-v-zebre-championship-clash-postponed-as-storm-eunice-makes-landfall%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/02\/18\/cardiff-v-zebre-championship-clash-postponed-as-storm-eunice-makes-landfall%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff v Zebre Championship clash postponed as Storm Eunice makes landfall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Red weather warning across South Wales means more disruption for rugby campaign<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

CARDIFF Rugby\u2019s Championship fixture against Zebre was postponed as Storm Eunice arrived in much of the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 12th <\/sup>round game was due to take place on Friday, February 18 at Cardiff Arms Park but will now be scheduled for a later, so far unconfirmed, date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlternative arrangements for the fixture this weekend were explored but were not possible due to numerous logistical challenges including Zebre\u2019s inability to guarantee air travel arrangements,\u201d said Cardiff Rugby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game was cancelled after much of South Wales, including Cardiff, was placed on a red weather warning by the Met Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imposed from 7am to 12pm on Friday, February 18 the red weather warning means there could be a possible threat to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across Wales, many transport links, events and schools were forced to close ahead of the storm which is expected to see winds of nearly 100mph in Cardiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy to see why this decision was made from a safety point of view for the Zebre team plane, fans and players,\u201d said Cardiff Rugby supporter Dave Price, 42.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A statement by the United Rugby Championship stated: \u201cA decision to reschedule this game has been made in the health and safety interests of all staff and team personnel involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This postponement is one in a long list of interruptions to Cardiff Rugby\u2019s campaign this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, the team had difficulties getting home from a South Africa<\/a> training camp at the peak of the Omicron variant which led to stiff quarantine restrictions when they got back to the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, injuries and Wales call-ups have stunted a difficult season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Italian side Zebre had not travelled when the postponement was announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe weather is such not to allow the team to make a safe international trip, also making it prohibitive to play on Saturday or Sunday,\u201d read a Zebre statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt has been frustrating with lots of disruption outside of the club and league\u2019s control. Weather happens, and this seems a particularly nasty storm,\u201d Mr Price added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe may not win the league, but we are definitely putting a good show on, and couldn\u2019t do a much better job in the circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n