The rugby governing body in Ireland, IRFU, has announced the postponement of Ireland's Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin next month.

IRFU made the announcement amidst fears of the deadly coronavirus as concerns rise over the health of players and fans.

The deadly virus has caught Italy by surprise and at the time of this report, authorities have confirmed at least 11 deaths with about 322 confirmed cases.

The IRFU confirmed the news after a meeting between their chief executive Phillip Browne and health minister Simon Harris on Wednesday.


The governing body then said in a statement: "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.

"We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling the matches and would hope to have an update on this in the coming days."

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Scotland Women's match in Italy on Sunday was cancelled and is yet to be rearranged, while two PRO14 matches, including Ulster's clash with Treviso, were also called off.

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