Saturday night's France v Ireland Six Nations match in Paris was postponed just 10 minutes before kick-off because of a frozen pitch.
First Championship match to be postponed since 1985
Saturday night's France v Ireland Six Nations match in Paris was postponed just 10 minutes before kick-off because of a frozen pitch at the Stade de France.
The pitch passed an inspection earlier in the evening, but rapidly froze as temperatures plummetted in the French capital, with the mercury forecast to plummet to minus eight by half-time.
English referee Dave Pearson informed both teams of the postponement after frantic late efforts to make the pitch playable failed.
The decision was greeted by a chorus of boos from a sell-out crowd already assembled in the Stade de France.
It is the first Championship match to be postponed due to the weather since 1985.
Six Nations officials have confirmed that the match will be staged during one of the tournament's break weekends, either February 18 and 19 or March 3 and 4.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney said he did not know when the match would now be played. "That'll be up to the Six Nations (officials) outside," he said.
"I know they were on the phone already outside. I'm sure they're working on it as we speak."
Electric
Kidney could only speculate on when a decision would be made. "Probably you would imagine sometime on Monday," he said.
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre added: "We would have preferred to play.
"The changing room was electric, the players were really ready to play but you have to respect the referee's decision, it's he who is in charge of players' safety."
Six Nations representative Christine Connolly said: "Unfortunately on the advice of the referee it was decided that it was unplayable.
"He came here yesterday and inspected it under the covers and then again at 1930 (1830GMT) this evening and it was playable. However, sadly in the 90 minutes after the covers were drawn back it froze over in several areas and was unplayable."
