The IRFU has decided to postpone next weekend’s Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy due to the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Ireland were due to face the Italians in Dublin on 7 March, but Irish rugby’s governing body has agreed that the game should be postponed.
This comes after an announcement from Ireland minister of health Simon Harris recommending that the match be posponed after an outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy.
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Italy confirmed its 12th death from the outbreak today and has recorded 374 cases to date, the most anywhere outside China.
Harris held a meeting with IRFU chief executive Philip Browne on Wednesday afternoon, leaving the decision of whether to go ahead with the match with the IRFU.
Following the meeting, Brown confirmed to the media that the match would be postponed.
‘At the meeting, we were informed 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 perfectly happy to comply with this instruction. We will immediately begin work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling those three matches and hope to have an update on that in the coming days.’
In the same week, Sanzaar has confirmed that it is happy for games involving the Tokyo-based Sunwolves to go ahead as planned, despite recommendations from the Japanese government to postpone all sporting and cultural events.
BREAKING Irish rugby chief Philip Browne confirms Irish government has determined that forthcoming Ireland v Italy 6Nations match CANNOT go ahead because of coronavirus. Hoping to reschedule but no details yet on when pic.twitter.com/FBpOBpabry
— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 26, 2020
6Nations chaos as Ireland v Italy OFF in Dublin March 7 over coronavirus fears
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris now speaking after meeting with IRFU pic.twitter.com/CcCRZsbfJ0— Dan Roan (@danroan) February 26, 2020
Photo: Getty Images
