Rome finale could move to UK due to coronavirus

ENGLAND’S final Six Nations fixture away to Italy could be moved to Twickenham or Newcastle if the country’s coronavirus crisis continues. Eddie Jones’ side are due to face the Azzurri at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on March 14, but the women’s international between Italy and Scotland — scheduled to take place near Milan on Sunday — was called off after a sudden spate of cases in that part of the peninsula. Pro14 fixtures have since been postponed, too, with the Italian federation (FIR) yesterday confirming that rugby would be suspended at all levels over the forthcoming weekend. Six Nations officials are ‘monitoring and discussing’ the situation with all six unions being kept informed. Italy have moved a training camp this week away from Parma, where they were due to gather ahead of their trip to Dublin to play Ireland. Italian sporting authorities are taking no chances over the coronavirus, with four football matches postponed in Serie A last weekend and the prospect of domestic and European fixtures being played behind closed doors this week.