The IRFU has confirmed that the Ireland vs Italy Six Nations games which were due to be held next month have been called off due to fears surrounding the Coronavirus.
"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," reads a statement from the Union.
At the outset we made it clear that the IRFU was supportive of the Governments’ 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.
The Ireland men's, women's and U20s team were all due to play Italy that weekend.
