The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dublin Six Nations clash falls victim to virus.
Ireland vs Italy clash postponed – with no obvious date to reschedule
Six Nations chiefs face a major logistical task after next week’s clash between Ireland and Italy was postponed due to the risk posed by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Irish Rugby Football Union announced the decision following a meeting with Irish Health Minister Simon Harris and his advisers.
China has reported 77,658 cases and 2,663 deaths following the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus that has spread to a variety of countries, including Italy, where authorities have swiftly put in restrictions.
In 2001, Ireland’s Six Nations matches against the other home unions – Scotland, Wales and England – were postponed following a foot and mouth outbreak and delayed until September and October that year.
There would appear no obvious date for the postponed March 7 Six Nations encounter in Dublin to be played this season, given a packed post-Six Nations schedule of European and domestic rugby.
In a statement, the Six Nations said: “Six Nations notes the formal instruction provided to the IRFU today by the Irish National Public Health Emergency team, which states that the upcoming series of
Championship matches between Ireland and Italy over the weekend of March 6-8 should not proceed.
“We are fully supportive of any preventative measures taken in the interests of overall public health in relation to the coronavirus, and we will respect instructions provided by government authorities and health organisations. Six Nations also continues to liaise with its medical advisory group.
“We will be holding further discussions with all six unions with respect to the rescheduling options for all the affected games, factoring in the current dynamic situation. All other matches are currently scheduled to go ahead as normal. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely with all unions and the respective government authorities and health organisations.”
Ireland were also due to host Italy in Six Nations under-20 and women’s internationals between on March 6 and 8, respectively. England are due to face Italy in Rome on March 14, which is this season’s final scheduled Six Nations weekend.
The IRFU said: “The IRFU had a positive meeting with Minister Harris and his advisors today, where we requested a formal instruction as to the staging of the Ireland v Italy international matches over the weekend of March 6-8.
“At the outset we made it clear that the IRFU was supportive of the governments’ need to protect public health in relation to the coronavirus.
“We were then advised, formally, that the national public health emergency team has determined that the series of matches should not proceed, in the interests of public health. The IRFU is happy to comply with this instruction.
“We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling the matches and would hope to have an update on this in the coming days.”
France currently lead the competition, and cannot be caught if they win their final two fixtures against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday week, then Ireland in Paris six days later.
The Gallagher Premiership and Guinness PRO14 competitions, meanwhile, conclude with finals on June 20 – and both Ireland and Italy then embark on summer tours.
European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup semi-finals weekend on May 2-3 might be the earliest option to reschedule postponed fixtures.
Meanwhile, the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships – scheduled to take place in Seoul next month – have been cancelled due to the spread of the virus.