Six Nations to proceed as planned

Mon, Mar 2, 2020, 8:09 PM
AFP
by AFP
The Six Nations will go ahead as planned, with the exception of the Ireland-Italy postponement. Photo: Getty Images
The Six Nations will go ahead as planned, with the exception of the Ireland-Italy postponement. Photo: Getty Images

Remaining fixtures in the Six Nations Championships were expected to go ahead as planned, although changes could not be ruled out amid efforts to contain the coronavirus, organisers said Monday.

The March 7 match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin has already been postponed but other matches will be maintained unless governments monitoring the spread of the virus decide otherwise, the organisers said.

Rugby officials were meeting in Paris on Monday to consider whether more changes to the Six Nations calendar were needed as the number of infections and the death toll from the virus mounts.

"As it stands today, based on the latest information, all Six Nations matches currently scheduled are set to go ahead," Six Nations organisers said in a statement.

"We will refrain from making any rescheduling announcement for the time being while we keep assessing the situation."

The Irish Rugby Football Union postponed their match against Italy following consultations with Simon Harris, Ireland's health minister.

A Six Nations spokeswoman did not rule out further changes to the schedule.

"There are important government meetings in various countries in the next couple of days and we will need to see what guidance comes out of these meetings," she said.

FIXTURES

Sunday March 7

3:45am - England vs Wales, Twickenham

Monday March 8

1am -  Scotland vs France, Murrayfield

Sunday March 15

1:15am Wales vs Scotland, Principality Stadium

3:45am - Italy v England, Stadio Olimpico

7am - France v Ireland, Stade de France

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