Ireland’s Six Nations clash away to France has been postponed due to the icy conditions in Paris.
The frozen Stade de France pitch was deemed unplayable, with the match rescheduled for Friday, March 2.
With the stadium full and the band preparing to play the national anthems, the announcement was made.
The stadium does not feature under-soil heating, and as the surface was frozen solid, referee Dave Pearson decided that the conditions were too dangerous to allow the match to go ahead. Ireland head coach Declan Kidney concurred with Pearson’s view.
Kidney was asked how his players had reacted to the news that the game had been postponed, and told the BBC: "You're joking me. How do you get that pumped up for a game (and then have it called off)?
"International rugby or any professional rugby isn't something whereby you just arrive and you go out for a friendly jog around.
"But they're great lads and they'll settle down. There's a good bit of banter in the dressing room at the moment."
A spokeswoman from the RBS 6 Nations organisation urged fans to keep their tickets, as they will be valid for the match on the rearranged date.