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Principality Stadium roof to remain open this weekend

Wales' Six Nations match with England on Saturday will be played in open-air, after the away side...



Principality Stadium roof to r...
Rugby

Principality Stadium roof to remain open this weekend

Wales' Six Nations match with England on Saturday will be played in open-air, after the away side decided to play the match without the use of the Principality Stadium roof.

Six Nations matches in the stadium can only be played under the 400 tonne-roof if both teams agree to it. With poor weather forecast for Cardiff on Saturday, the home side expected the game to be played indoors.

Two years ago, the roof was left open as England won 21-16. In 2013, the roof was closed as Wales denied England the Grand Slam, winning 30-3.

Since the stadium opened, there have been eight Six Nations games and two World Cup warm-up matches between Wales and England. Five had been played with the roof closed, with the other five played in the open air. The results are string. Wales have a 4-1 overall record indoors, while England have a 4-1 record outdoors.

Earlier this week, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said he hoped the roof would be closed for the match. "When it’s closed, there’s no escape for anyone or anything and sometimes that’s a great place to be,” he admitted. "It’s the sort of occasion you want to be involved in."

Despite England's head coach Eddie Jones saying he did not mind if the roof remained open or shut, the Australian head coach, as allowed the elements have the potential to influence the game. A win over Wales, will be their 16th in a row, in a run going back to their final pool game in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

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