Six Nations Super Saturday is always a popular day in the rugby fraternity.

Where possible, fixtures take a break and everyone heads to their favourite clubhouse or bar for three back-to-back games which can see a championship won or lost.

This weekend was set to be perhaps more exciting than other years with the tournament wide open.

The French were back to their best, the Irish were steady and consistent, the Welsh as passionate as ever and the English as usual gave their fans a roller-coaster ride as they alternated between domination and despair.

A lucky few were headed off to Paris, Rome or Cardiff to take in a live game.

Sadly a double whammy struck. The COVID-19 virus flew in from the east and caused havoc for the Six Nations organisers.

That was quickly followed by Flybe no longer flying, as the airline succumbed to almost three years of financial pressure and media nay-saying.

While COVID-19 wreaked havoc for international rugby, the Flybe legacy is having a different effect for the Manx sides committed to the English Clubs Championships.

For the second consecutive weekend Ramsey and Vagabonds are unable to get their scheduled fixtures played, while Vagabonds women’s side final league match of the season against Burnley is also a postponement.

The various league organisers are busy working out revised scheduled for everyone concerned which looks increasing likely to push fixtures into April and the Manx Cup perhaps even later. At the time of going to press, there was no news available of Douglas’s trip to Birkenhead Park.

There is one game locally this week, however.

At Ramsey’s Mooragh Park, Ramsey and Southern Nomads will meet in a friendly. The game will help keep Ramsey’s players keep ticking over and give Nomads a much-needed workout ahead of next week’s Cheshire Plate semi-final against Douglas Celts.

FIXTURES: SATURDAY, MARCH 14

North One West

Birkenhead Park v Douglas @ Birkenhead Park

Friendly

Ramsey v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ Mooragh Park ko 2.15pm