Wales has asked Six Nations organizers to "classify the Principality Stadium as a closed-roof ground, meaning all matches in the tournament would be played under cover regardless of the weather," according to Paul Rees of the London GUARDIAN. The roof may be closed currently "only if both teams agree, which has led to mind games in the week of a match." With bonus points being trialed in the Six Nations this year, Wales interim head coach Rob Howley believes "it is the ideal opportunity to take advantage of the stadium's roof." Howley said, "The roof being closed gives us the best conditions for the best rugby. I asked the question about making the Principality Stadium a closed ground for the Six Nations after the autumn when the decision about bonus points was announced and the higher echelons will be making a decision in the next week. I think the roof should be closed so that games can be played to the benefit of both the teams involved" (GUARDIAN, 1/21). WALES ONLINE's Paul Abbandonato reported Howley "feels a perfect playing arena will encourage running rugby and lead to a feast of tries -- extra significant this year with bonus points kicking in for the first time." He argued Six Nations games in February are "historically more conservative because of adverse weather." Countries scoring four tries or more in games will get a bonus point and Howley "reckons the title will be decided by that new system" in '17 (WALES ONLINE, 1/22).
