Traditionally the first World Tour race of the season, the event was set to include the men's UCI WorldTour and women's UCI ProTour races but the country's strict quarantine measures proved to be an insurmountable hurdle in bringing teams to Australia. "This appointment represents a great opportunity for Dannii to lead Celtic Dragons on their next campaign and we wholeheartedly wish her every success. "Ken Owens has been released from the national squad due to a back injury which will prevent him from taking any part in the Autumn Nations Series," read a Welsh Rugby Union statement. "That's going to be the subject, I suspect, of discussion at national cabinet and amongst the federal cabinet," he said.