Rugby Union: Paris pitch no better
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The fate of Saturday's France-England international still hung in the balance last night. Officials reported no improvement in the frozen and troublesome pitch at the new Stade de France just north of Paris.
The turf was reported to be frozen to a depth of 10 centimetres - more than was admitted the previous day - despite a pitch cover installed on Monday night. Warm air blowers are to be employed today, but stadium officials were also praying for a change in the weather.
It became clear yesterday that the stadium had deliberately not covered or warmed the pitch at the weekend, for fear that artificial protection or forced heating would worsen its fragile condition.
The daily sports newspaper L'Equipe said a more aggressive approach would have been adopted if the stadium were not due to be the showpiece of the football World Cup in June. L'Equipe said the stadium was left with the choice of risking a frozen pitch for the opening match of the Five Nations' Championship, or providing a "ploughed field" for the World Cup opener on 10 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments