France vs Wales CANCELLED? Storm Gabriel snow risk, Six Nations flight cancellations
FRANCE VS WALES kicks off the 2019 Six Nations - but could the game be affected by snow?
France host Wales in a crunch opening clash of the 2019 Six Nations.
The match will be played in the Stade de France in Paris tonight, before Scotland vs Italy and Ireland vs England take place on Saturday.
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But there are fears the match may well be affected by the weather today.
That’s because Storm Gabriel is currently sweeping the Gallic nation.
Rain and snow has fallen across much of Belgium, Holland and north-eastern France.
Whether or not the worst of the weather hits Paris by this evening, it remains to be seen.
As of Friday morning, there are no concrete fears the weather will delay or postpone the match.
Website accuweather report that rain is likely to fall across most of France on Friday, with only the north-eastern corner receiving a potential snow flurry.
But that does not rule out the possibility fans travelling to Paris for the Six Nations will be affected.
And that’s because the weather in the UK is set to affect commuters today.
Flights in and out of Bristol airport have been cancelled or diverted this morning.
Many Welsh fans will likely be travelling from the airport, but a 7am flight to Paris was already cancelled on Friday morning.
As of Friday afternoon, planes at Bristol airport remained grounded with flights to Paris just some of the 130 cancelled so far.
Flights from Cardiff airport are also experiencing problems, with arrivals from Belfast and Amsterdam so far cancelled.
And Wales legend Sam Warburton himself was stuck in Cardiff airport waiting for a delayed flight.
"I was on the 9.30am," he told BBC Wales this morning.
"A few of the guys are went over yesterday from Bristol. I was doing some work last night for the BBC so we knew we would be cutting it fine this morning but I am sure we will all be fine.
"I am probably too laid back for my own good so I don't mind at all.
"I have got 12 hours to get out there. Even if I need to get the EuroStar or something I am sure I will be there for kick-off so I am not worried at all."
Flashbacks to 2012
The last time a Six Nations clash was postponed was back in 2012.
France hosted Ireland on a bitterly-cold February night and the match was called off moments before kick-off.
It was rescheduled to later in the tournament but the cancellation was a PR disaster for the Six Nations.
80,000 fans were already in the Stade de France and the band had even started playing ahead of kick-off.
But as temperatures plunged to -10c there was no chance of the game being played.
“One particular corner of the pitch was quite dangerous to play on so I believe the referee took the right decision,” said Ireland’s Declan Kidney.
“The players were pumped up for it in the dressing room as the protocol of this competition demands that you prepare fully for the game.
“The boys were ready to go but sometimes you have to let your head rule your heart.”