Kings v Zebre clash in jeopardy:
● Coronavirus crisis in Italy set to scupper PRO14 showdown
Covid-19 is set to scupper the Isuzu Southern Kings’ next away match against Italian side Zebre, Kings interim head coach Robbi Kempson said.
Zebre have cancelled training for two weeks and asked staff to work remotely as the killer virus spreads its tentacles through Italy, prompting Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s government to place the entire country in lockdown.
The clash between the Kings and Zebre, set for April 18 at the Stadio Pacifo Carotti in the Northern Italian town of Jesi, was likely to be called off, Kempson said.
“I certainly would not want to put my players in any harm with regards to us flying into Italy, which is now in quarantine.
“From their point of view their [prime minister] has put them in quarantine.
“I would never put my players at that risk,” Kempson said.
“Specifically a number of my players are young kids and their parents want them looked after when they go away.
“[With] regards to our environment at the Kings, the protection of the players will be the most important thing.”
Asked if he thought the Zebre game would be called off, Kempson said: “I would think definitely.
“There is no question. “They [Italy] have stopped public gatherings and everything there at the moment.
“I do not think much of that will change in the near future.
“So potentially the Zebre game will be postponed or put aside to another date.
“There are other PRO14 games that could be affected.”
Asked if any additional health issues had been introduced at the Kings, Kempson said: “We have always done fist bumps at the Kings because I am an obsessive compulsive myself.
“We have always had hand sanitiser in the gym, at team meeting rooms and in the physio rooms.
“That is something we put in practice right at the start of the season, so it is not something new for us.
“There has been no official word from PRO14 regarding the Zebre game, but we are expecting something from them later this week.
“PRO14 are in meetings at the moment with SA Rugby and our team doctor is in constant consultation with them.
“So I’m pretty sure they will come to a collective decision shortly.”
In an earlier statement, PRO14 said: “Sections of the north of Italy are under quarantine because to the coronavirus crisis.
“Given that Zebre and Benetton are both from the north of the country, their involvement in the PRO14 over the coming weeks is in severe doubt.”
Benetton have already had two home games, against Ulster and Munster, postponed though PRO14 had expressed the hope of rescheduling those fixtures, as well Zebre’s home game against Connacht — which has also been postponed.
However, any additional build-up of postponed games would potentially ensure that PRO14 would have to resort to recording the cancelled fixtures as 0-0 draws.
In a statement, Zebre said: “Zebre Rugby Club has decided to suspend all types of competitive activities at the Cittadella del Rugby in Parma.
“The decision was made by the company to pursue the principle of responsibility in preserving more than 100 members and their families from the possible infection of the coronavirus.”
The resumption of Zebre training was called off after a meeting between the sole director, Andrea Dalledonne, team manager Andrea De Rossi and the club’s medical director, Rocco Ferrari.
“The company took this decision as an additional measure to contain the spread of
Covid-19 in Northern Italy.
“Injured players will continue their rehabilitation process under the supervision of the club’s medical and physiotherapy staff, scrupulously following the hygiene rules necessary to contain the risk of spreading the virus,” the Zebre statement said.