Six Nations
Stade de France gets green light
ESPNscrum Staff
February 10, 2012
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre flanked by assistants Patrice Lagisquet and Yannick Bru, France v Italy, Six Nations, Stade de France, Paris, France, February 4, 2012
The French management team were unpreturbed by the cold in Paris last weekend © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: France | Ireland
Grounds: Stade de France

The Stade de France has passed a pitch inspection conducted on Friday afternoon in preparation for Saturday's Six Nations showdown between France and Ireland.

Both teams' traditional eve of match captain's run was cancelled in an attempt to protect the turf from the sub-zero temperatures that have gripped Paris. Ireland's kickers travelled to an indoor training centre to practice without the remainder of the squad, who stayed at the team hotel.

The Stade de France lacks under-soil heating, so the covers will only be removed two hours before the scheduled 8pm BST kick-off time. The temperature beneath the covers is being maintained at two degrees with a Six Nations spokesperson stating that conditions will be examined again on Saturday.

Minus seven has been forecast for kick off, but it is feared it could drop as low as minus 10. France winger Vincent Clerc declared earlier in the week there is "reason for concern" over the pitch, claiming sections near the touchline were frozen during last Saturday's victory over Italy.

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