Postponed/Cancelled.

Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy next month at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy.

IRFU officials met with Minister for Health Simon Harris today following his recommendation that the game be called off over fears of the virus spreading and are happy to comply with the request.

They will not work with the Six Nations to look at the possibility of rescheduling the fixture if possible,

“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 6/8 March,” an IRFU statement read.

“At the outset, we made it clear that the IRFU was supportive of the Government’s’ 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.