by Ben Jones & Editor
THE Principality Stadium roof will be open for Wales’ Grand Slam decider against Ireland today, despite the promise of heavy and persistent rain in the capital.
Ireland coach Joe Schmitt requested the roof should be open. This inevitably caused forceful reactions from both Welsh and Irish supporters.
Multiple fans on Twitter shared their dismay, with several mentioning that it is “our stadium, our rules!” Others wrote [replying to the announcement] “What therefore is the point in having a roof if it can’t be used?”
Shouldn't be up to the visiting team to decide whether the Principality Stadium roof should be shut. As Warren Gatland says, 'It's our stadium.'
— Robin Davey (@robindavey01) March 14, 2019
Roof open for Wales vs Ireland at the Principality Stadum.
Storm Gareth up to its usual mischief, brutal weather in Cardiff – buckle up folks.
— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) March 15, 2019
Six Nations rules state that both teams have to agree to the roof being closed, and because Ireland, the away side want it open, that is how it will be. There were some positive replies to the announcement, however. Mainly from Irish fans like Donal O’Reilly who said that Wales’ fans were using it as an excuse, should they lose:
Except that schmidt has been consistent on the point for the last two years that the humidity of having the roof on made handling a nightmare. Nothing to do with the atmosphere. It's like you fans complaining are hedging your bets in case you lose.
— Donal O'Reilly (@TheDonORi) March 15, 2019
Stephen Nott was in high spirits, stating “Let’s have the roof open then!… Give the Ireland team their wish because that’s all they’ll be getting.”
Let's have the roof open then. Let's get some swirling gales and heavy rain into the Principality Stadium on Saturday. Give the Ireland team their wish because that's all they'll be getting. C'MON WALES!!! #SixNations2019 #WalesvIreland #GRANDSLAMMMMMMM pic.twitter.com/4pc2MvBycr
— StevenNott (@StevenNott) March 14, 2019
Another fan teased the thought of the roof being open, saying it “worked really well for England”.
Worked really well for England
— Rhys Macey (@Maceyno6) March 15, 2019
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones spoke to the media after his Captain’s Run on Friday. The Wales veteran said that regardless of the decision, the conditions would be the “same for both sides.”
He also said that reporters would have to “ask the Irish guys what their mentality is” following the decision.
So a game that already had all the hype needed, now has an added bit of drama to it.
The question is, will the treacherous weather conditions Storm Gareth is forecast to bring to the Welsh capital play any part in the outcome of the game?