The president of France's rugby federation has said he doesn't understand why yesterday's Six Nations clash with Ireland was called off.
Referee David Pearson made the decision ten minutes before kick-off that the playing surface at the Stade de France was unsafe for play.
The pitch had passed inspections the previous evening and at 6.30pm, an hour and a half before kick-off, but was deemed unsafe because of deteriorating conditions.
Pearson failed to turn up to a press conference after the decision, a move that baffled FFR president Pierre Camou, who said: "It's very sad. I don't understand why the referee has not shown up.
"I am worried that two hours before kick-off everything seemed fine. I'm thinking of all the fans who have come from afar.
"We always take responsibility for the pitches but we are not responsible for the decision to call it off. I'm not sure the argument of safety is suddenly a good one at 8pm. Today a Six Nations game in Italy was played in the snow and the referee was French."
Six Nations officials have confirmed the match will be rearranged for one of the tournament's break weekends, either February 18 and 19 or March 3 and 4.
