Postponed the Ireland-Italy Six Nations rugby match for fear of the coronavirus

It had to be held on March 7 in Dubln. The head of the Irish medical services had recommended the cancellation

The Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and Italy, scheduled for March 7 in Dublin, was postponed at a later date, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Irish federation announced after a meeting with the Ministry of Health of its country .

“We will immediately get to work with our fellow Six Nations to examine the possibility of rescheduling the party,” the federation said in a statement. Previously, the Irish health authorities had recommended the cancellation of the party due to the risk of spreading the epidemic of the new coronavirus.

The federation affirmed to support “the need of the governments to protect the public health with regard to the coronavirus”, that caused the death of more than 2,700 people in China and that now affects Europe and in particular to Italy, with more than 370 cases and 12 dead.

The head of the medical services of Ireland, Tony Holohan, had recommended the cancellation of the party due to the rapid evolution of the epidemic in northern Italy, and the consecutive risk of importing cases to Ireland, “where none has been declared for the moment linked to the coronavirus.

In Italy, many sporting events have been canceled or rescheduled as a precaution. Four Serie A football matches and one of the Women's Six Nations Tournament between Italy and Scotland have been postponed.

In 2001, the calendar of the Six Nations Tournament was altered by the epizootic of aphtose fever in the United Kingdom, with several games postponed, which were played months later.