WRU call on Welsh Government to align with Boris Johnson as hordes of Wales fans expected to travel to England for autumn games

The sport's return is rife with complication as coronavirus restrictions are eased

The Welsh Rugby Union have called on the Welsh Government to adopt the same policies as Westminster regarding coronavirus restrictions at sporting events by the time international rugby returns this autumn.

Rugby bosses in Wales are hoping to avoid a situation where fans are allowed into stadiums at events in England but not in Wales.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already signalled plans for an October return in England, but Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has declined to make any such commitment.

If no fans are allowed at sporting events across the UK this autumn, then Wales will play behind-closed-doors matches at one of the four regional rugby grounds.

However, if some fans are allowed into grounds in both England and Wales, then Wayne Pivac's side will play their home matches in London.

This is because the WRU won't be hosting games at the Principality Stadium until the 2021 Six Nations as it continues to be a field hospital.

And more fans - who crucially provide more revenue - could get into bigger London venues than what is on offer in Wales.

Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and West Ham's London Stadium are all being considered.

The worst scenario for the WRU is that the Welsh Government insists on behind-closed-doors matches in Wales and England allow fans at matches.

It will not make a difference as to where the game is played, but the WRU expect Welsh fans will still travel to and from the matches in London in large numbers anyway.

The WRU have started the process of refunding fans for the postponed Six Nations match against Scotland, which is expected to take place on October 31.

Wales could also play five other international matches in the autumn on October 24, November 14, 21, 28 and December 5, with World Rugby recommending on Wednesday plans for a new schedule involving matches between the Six Nations sides and "invited" teams. You can read details of those fixtures here.

It remains unclear whether or not fans will be allowed to attend any of these matches.

"Assuming games are staged this autumn, if restrictions mean that we are playing behind closed doors those games are likely to be staged in Wales and we are exploring a range of options," said WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips.

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"If the games can be staged with crowds in some form those games are likely to be in and around London and, again, we are exploring a range of options.

"The most difficult scenario will be if games are allowed with crowds in England but not in Wales. There are clearly a range of risks here, not least Welsh fans leaving Wales to attend a game and then returning.

"Clearly this risk also occurs for away games. We very much hope that by the autumn, restrictions whatever they be in relation to sports events, are aligned across the UK."

Phillips went on to confirm they would be extending the contract which will see a field hospital remain at the Principality Stadium.

The extension is not yet agreed but the Union are hopeful of having something signed in the near future.

"Our decision to step in to provide a location for a surge hospital at the height of the pandemic, along with the scale of the investment to construct the Dragon’s Heart hospital in the Stadium, has meant that we have agreed in principle to extend the hospital until the autumn", Phillips added.

"We have yet to finalise a contract on the extension, as, this time, it is a little more complex and there are a number of circumstances that need to be covered. We hope to sign the contract shortly."