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IRFU issue statement on COVID19 cancellation threat to Ireland-Italy match
By Ian Cameron
The IRFU have issued a statement following news that the Irish government said it was their position that the Ireland Italy Six Nations match on March 7th ‘should not go ahead’ amid fears about the spread of COVID19.
Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris gave an interview with the national broadcaster that has in effect kiboshed the fixture on March 7th, saying it would pose a significant risk because of the number of fans that would be travelling from Italy.
There have been 11 deaths in Northern Italy as a result of the respiratory virus.
“We’ve taken a decision in relation to the Ireland-Italy rugby game which was due to be held in Dublin on 7 March,” the minister told RTÉ News.
“The very clear view of the Public Health Emergency team is that this game should not go ahead, that it would constitute a significant risk because a very large number of people would be travelling from what is now an affected region.
“My department will be contacting the IRFU in relation to this.
“I know it will come as a great disappointment to many but it is important we make decisions in relation to public health above and beyond all other considerations.”
The IRFU statement reads:
"The IRFU is seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Harris as to the specific reasoning behind calling for the cancellation of the Ireland v Italy Six Nations fixture in the context of the Government’s overall travel policy to and from Italy and other affected countries.
"Until such time as the IRFU has had contact with the Minister and gets an understanding of the government’s strategic policy on travel to and from Ireland and the cancellation of mass gatherings, it is not in a position to comment further."
WATCH: Ireland coach Andy Farrell and captain Johnny Sexton speak to media following their team's disappointing Six Nations loss to England at Twickenham.
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Latest Comments
They bend the rules for pre-existing All Blacks, provided you've signed for a NZ franchise the following year.
Go to commentsUnder Rassie it is 5 wins for ABs, 1 draw, and 7 wins for the Boks. Of those games, only 3 were played in NZ, and 5 played in SA, and 5 on neutral ground.
Of the 3 played in NZ, the ABs only lost once. Of the games played in SA, SBs are 5-2, and on neutral ground its 3-2 to the Boks.
Seems pretty even to me, considering this is the greatest Boks team ever (I still think 2007 was better).
If Rassie wins, this will be the best Boks team ever, but the ABs aren't scared of a team who barely scrape wins against a reforming ABs team, and lost to an undercooked Irish side twice last year.
I predict a 7+ point win, leading by 13+ at halftime.
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